BCCI selection chief Ajit Agarkar found himself in a difficult spot on Saturday when a seemingly simple question about team selection turned into a test of his diplomacy. He was in Mumbai for the Cricinfo Awards, which took place just a day before the IPL 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The match saw defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru face Gujarat Titans.
During the awards programme, a clip celebrating India’s victory at the 2026 T20 World Cup was shown. Presenter Danish Sait—widely known for his “Mr Nags” persona on RCB’s social platforms—then asked Agarkar whether, after watching India’s performances, he ever catches himself thinking about the quality of the side he helped choose. Agarkar, momentarily thrown off balance, smiled and responded that he had to be cautious about what he said, adding that remarks could easily be taken out of context.
While keeping his answers measured, Agarkar did not hide the pride behind his role. He acknowledged how special it was to revisit the World Cup moment, explaining that he was present for it and also that he had the responsibility of selecting the squad that went on to win. India’s run in that tournament was emphatic: they lost only once on the way to lifting their third T20 World Cup title and their second crown in consecutive editions.
Sait continued, shifting from celebration to the realities of decision-making. He asked how a setup dealing with a nation of more than a billion people manages the message when players don’t make the cut—essentially seeking insight into the “sorry, not this time” conversations that must happen in selection rooms. Agarkar laughed before admitting that he was still searching for better ways, describing selection as an everyday process rather than something done with a single clever idea.
With the audience leaning in, the presenter pushed for one more window into the behind-the-scenes work. He asked what the most innovative approach was when it comes to those selection meetings. That final prompt left Agarkar scrambling, prompting him to tell Sait not to put him on the spot—particularly not on that night—because a selection announcement was scheduled only days away. The room then joined in with laughter.
Agarkar has been chairman of selectors since June 2023, overseeing one of the most decorated stretches in modern Indian cricket. During his period in charge, India have participated in four ICC events, reaching the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup before going on to secure the next three global trophies. Those wins came in the 2024 T20 World Cup, the 2025 Champions Trophy, and the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Beyond results, his tenure has also been marked by a smoother handover phase in India’s set-up. Both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma stepped away from T20 internationals and Test cricket during Agarkar’s time as selectors’ head, with the transition managed without major disruption to India’s overall structure. Initially, his contract was set to conclude in March 2026, but the BCCI extended his role through the 2027 ODI World Cup, a decision closely tied to the sustained success India have delivered under his watch.
