Gambhir’s heartfelt tweet lit up X, calling Agarkar a “true leader” as he steps down after a trophy‑laden stint—India’s 2023 ODI final, 2024 T20 win, 2025 Champions Trophy and 2026 T20 triumph.
Agarkar took the helm in July 2023 and capped a four‑month term on October 4, after announcing he wouldn’t seek renewal at the BCCI AGM on September 18. In those 16 weeks, the selectors steered a squad that clinched every ICC title on the calendar.
“History will be kinder to you,” Gambhir wrote, punctuating the moment with a nod to the three ICC trophies as proof of Agarkar’s conviction. The former pacer didn’t just pick players; he built a culture that put the team first.
Now the BCCI has opened the selection seat to the public, while Pragyan Ojha, the ex‑spinner who led the squad pick for the New Zealand tour, steps in as interim chairman. Ojha’s 24 Test caps could make him the senior candidate, though Parthiv Patel’s 25 Tests give him a seniority edge.
With the vacancy in place, the committee’s next move will be critical for India’s upcoming series. The interim team will shape the squad that takes on New Zealand—an arena where the selectors’ choices will face immediate scrutiny.