Mumbai, Aug 2026 : The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is preparing to hold discussions with chief selector Ajit Agarkar following India’s two-Test series against Sri Lanka, with his possible one-year extension expected to be among the key issues on the agenda. Agarkar, who took charge of the senior men’s selection committee in September 2023, will complete three years in the role next month and is eligible for an extension under the existing rules.
The proposed meeting comes at a time when differences have reportedly emerged between the national selection committee and the BCCI leadership over the future of veteran batter Rohit Sharma. The issue has gained prominence following conflicting signals regarding whether Sharma remains part of India’s plans for the ODI format ahead of the 2027 50-over World Cup.
The selectors had reportedly conveyed to Sharma that they were considering moving on from him following India’s white-ball series against England in July. The selection panel, in consultation with the team management, was believed to be keen on giving younger players, including Yashasvi Jaiswal, opportunities at the top of the ODI order.
However, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia subsequently indicated that Sharma’s international career in ODIs was not necessarily coming to an end. Saikia said the former captain remained a regular member of the ODI side and would continue playing as long as he remained “in the scheme of things”. His comments reportedly did not sit comfortably with the selectors, who had already communicated a different position to Sharma.
Sharma, who has retired from Test and T20I cricket and now represents India only in ODIs, has made it clear that he wants to continue playing the format. His recent performances have strengthened his case. After scoring 11 and 26 in the first two ODIs against England in Birmingham and Cardiff, respectively, Sharma produced a spectacular match-winning 138 in the third ODI at Lord’s on July 19.
The century, combined with discussions between Sharma and senior BCCI officials during the England series, has reportedly opened the possibility of his inclusion in India’s squad for the upcoming home series against the West Indies. Saikia had earlier rejected speculation that the Lord’s match would mark Sharma’s final ODI appearance for India.
The uncertainty surrounding Sharma also comes against the backdrop of the selection committee’s decision to remove him as India’s ODI captain last year and hand the leadership to Shubman Gill. The change marked an important transition in the Indian white-ball setup, with the selectors looking to build a team capable of carrying forward its plans towards the 2027 World Cup.
The BCCI is understood to favour continuity in the selection committee and had been keen on retaining Agarkar through the 2027 World Cup. A final decision on his future, however, is expected only after the proposed meeting between the board officials and the chief selector.
Agarkar’s tenure has coincided with an important period in Indian cricket, including the transition from one generation to another. Under Sharma’s captaincy, India reached the 2023 ODI World Cup final after an impressive campaign built around an aggressive batting approach. That attacking philosophy continued into the following year, when India won the 2024 T20 World Cup.
With the 2027 ODI World Cup approaching, the BCCI faces important decisions over both selection continuity and the balance between experience and youth. The meeting with Agarkar is therefore expected to provide clarity not only on the chief selector’s future but also on how the board and selectors intend to manage Sharma’s ODI career in the coming months.
