The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has appointed former India pacer Ajit Agarkar as Chairman of the Senior Men’s Selection Committee as of Tuesday.
Agarkar filled the position which had been vacant since February after Chetan Sharma stepped down in the wake-up of a sting operation conducted on him by an Indian television network.
The decision was taken by the three-man Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) consisting of Sulakshana Naik, Ashok Malhotra, and Jatin Paranjape. The three-member CAC has unanimously recommended Agarkar for the top post in the selection panel.
The former India all-rounder represented the country in 26 Tests, 191 ODIs, and four T20Is, in addition to playing 110 first-class, 270 List A, and 62 T20 matches. As a former fast bowler, he was part of India’s victorious squad in the inaugural T20 World Cup held in South Africa in 2007. He still holds the record for the fastest half-century by an Indian batter in ODI, achieved with a 21-ball fifty against Zimbabwe in 2000. He also held the record for being the fastest to reach 50 ODI wickets for nearly a decade, accomplishing the milestone in just 23 matches.
Following his playing career, he was appointed as the Chief Selector for the senior Mumbai Team and undertook coaching responsibilities with the Delhi Capitals in Indian Premier League.
The committee further recommended Agarkar for the role of Chairperson of the Men’s Selection Committee based on seniority (total number of Test matches).
Men’s Selection Committee: Ajit Agarkar (Chairperson), Shiv Sundar Das, Subroto Banerjee, Salil Ankola, Sridharan Sharath.
