Ravi Shastri front-runner to replace Ajit Agarkar as new BCCI chief selector

The former Indian coach, Ravi Shastri, is reportedly the front-runner to become the next chief selector of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as the tenure of the chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, is expected to be concluded around October 2026. The Indian board has also been planning its best for the upcoming major events like the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. 

Agarkar’s tenure as the chief selector is set to conclude around October 04, 2026. The media reports have named Shastri as the potential candidate to take over the role for the long-term planning of the upcoming ODI World Cup.

Is Ravi Shastri set to take over as BCCI chief selector?

Shastri’s name has surfaced amid growing concerns over the next chief selector of the BCCI, with Agarkar’s tenure becoming a major talking point. The board hasn’t announced Shastri as his replacement, but the latter could be a prime candidate for the spot due to his success as the previous head coach of the Indian side.

Shastri has gained strong experience with the Indian side, having worked with the senior cricket administration. Under him, the blue brigade gained massive success by winning the Test series in Australia for the very first time in 2019 before making it back-to-back in 2021.

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The identity of the chief selector will be very important, especially with the World Cup on the horizon. Some of the former players like Parthiv Patel and Pragyan Ojha are also possible contenders as there is no official announcement for the position.

How did Ajit Agarkar's tenure as chief selector come to an end?

Agarkar was appointed as the chairman of India’s senior men’s selection committee in July 2023, when he replaced Chetan Sharma, who stepped down from that role earlier that year. Under Agarkar’s selection, India reached the 2023 ODI World Cup final at home.

Their biggest success came in 2024 when the blue brigade ended their long wait for an ICC title by winning the T20 World Cup 2024 and continued the success with the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, beating New Zealand in the final.

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Agarkar’s tenure also saw the blue brigade suffer a historic home Test series defeat against the Kiwis and end in a bad campaign in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy down under. Agarkar has been defined by the major ICC triumphs.