The vacancy left by Ajit Agarkar’s exit is staring down the BCCI, and the most obvious replacement has just walked away. Parthiv Patel, who was the frontrunner to take the reins, let the application deadline for the West Zone slot expire without submitting a bid on Wednesday. It’s a surprising pass, especially with the deadline having just closed, leaving the board in a bit of a bind with the ODI World Cup less than a year away.
With the obvious choice out of the running, the internal dynamics are shifting. Pragyan Ojha is set to continue as the interim chairman, but the real story is the growing clout of VVS Laxman. As the head of the Centre of Excellence, Laxman’s voice is expected to carry more weight in selection matters. A BCCI source noted that the board might prefer to keep the current setup intact rather than risk a new chairman imposing a different vision so close to a major tournament.
Money, of course, is the other big factor here. The BCCI is clearly willing to open its wallet to attract heavy hitters. Since RP Singh and Ojha joined last year, selection committee costs have ballooned to Rs 17.45 crore, already blowing past the initial annual budget by Rs 3 crore. For the 2026-27 season, the board has allocated Rs 19.35 crore, a Rs 5 crore increase that signals a serious intent to negotiate with top-tier former cricketers.
Reports suggest the board has already approached a couple of legends with near-100 Test caps, but both turned down the offer. The challenge now isn’t just about finding a name; it’s about finding someone whose vision aligns with the current team’s trajectory. Meanwhile, the board is also weighing whether to retain SS Das as a selector. He completes four years in the role in December, and there’s a strong possibility he’ll be allowed to stay on until the World Cup concludes.
For now, the selection process will likely focus on filling the West Zone seat with a candidate who fits the board’s criteria, rather than rushing to appoint a new chief. The next step is to see if the BCCI extends the search or settles for a compromise candidate, keeping the status quo alive for the big event.