Former India and Mumbai pacer Ajit Agarkar has been named as the chairperson of the India senior men's national selection committee. The announcement came on Tuesday after the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), comprising Sulakshana Naik, Ashok Malhotra, and Jatin Paranjape, conducted interviews for the vacant selector position in the men's selection committee. The CAC unanimously recommended Agarkar for the role.
As per a media release by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the three-member committee also recommended the appointment of Agarkar as the chairperson of the men's selection committee based on his seniority in terms of the total number of Test matches played.
Ajit Agarkar, a former India all-rounder, has an impressive cricketing career to his name. He represented the country in 26 Tests, 191 ODIs, and four T20Is. Additionally, he has played 110 first-class matches, 270 List A matches, and 62 T20 matches. As a fast bowler, he played a vital role in India's triumph in the inaugural T20 World Cup held in South Africa in 2007.
Agarkar holds a significant record in Indian cricket history. He still holds the record for the fastest half-century by an Indian batter in ODIs, achieved with a blistering 21-ball fifty against Zimbabwe in 2000. Furthermore, he held the record for being the fastest to claim 50 ODI wickets for almost a decade, accomplishing the feat in just 23 matches.
After retiring from his playing career, Agarkar took on various responsibilities in the cricketing realm. He served as the Chief Selector for the senior Mumbai team and also took up coaching duties with the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
With his vast experience and knowledge of the game, Ajit Agarkar is expected to contribute significantly to the selection process for the Indian men's cricket team. His appointment as the chairperson of the selection committee marks a new chapter in his cricketing journey, and fans eagerly await the impact he will make in shaping the future of Indian cricket.
Men’s Selection Committee: Ajit Agarkar (Chairperson), Shiv Sundar Das, Subroto Banerjee, Salil Ankola, Sridharan Sharath.