“Ajit has done a great job”: Chetan Sharma praises Agarkar
Former selector Chetan Sharma lauds Ajit Agarkar's successful stint as BCCI chief selector, highlighting India's ICC trophy wins and Asian Games success.
Former Indian cricketer and ex-BCCI selection chief Chetan Sharma has lauded Ajit Agarkar following the conclusion of his tenure as the chairman of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) senior men's selection committee. Agarkar, who took charge in July 2023, officially completed his term on October 4 without seeking an extension.
A Legacy of Trophies and Success
Speaking to ANI on the sidelines of the Salute Tiranga Cricket League (STCL) Players Draft, Sharma emphasized the immense responsibility that comes with the role of chief selector. He credited Agarkar and the entire selection committee for steering the Indian team through a period of significant international success.
“It's a very big deal. You sit in that chair thinking about how many trophies India can win. It's a very big deal in itself. Look, three ICC trophies, and then if you talk about the Asian Games back-to-back. So it's a great effort," Sharma remarked. "I'd say Ajit has done a great job. It's basically a team effort. There are five selectors, so I'd like to congratulate all five selectors who were there, and especially the chief selector who had the will behind it."
Sharma further noted that while no position in cricket is permanent, leaving a role after achieving substantial milestones is a mark of a successful stint. "Whenever you're in the chair, you leave after doing good work, which brings a lot of happiness," he added.
Agarkar's tenure was marked by several high-profile achievements for the Indian men's team, including:
- The ICC Men's T20 World Cup in 2024
- The ICC Champions Trophy in 2025
- The ICC Men's T20 World Cup in 2026
- Two Asia Cup titles
- Back-to-back gold medals at the Asian Games
- Reaching the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup
Bhuvneshwar Kumar's Long-Awaited Recall
During the same interaction, Chetan Sharma expressed his enthusiasm regarding the return of veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar to the national setup. The 36-year-old has been away from the Indian side since the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final, but has now earned a recall for the upcoming five T20Is against New Zealand starting October 22.
Sharma praised Kumar's recent form in the UP T20 League, noting that his skill set remains as sharp as it was years ago. "The way he was bowling, he deserves it. The way he bowled on those wickets, his length is amazing, and his swing is amazing. It's the same Bhuvneshwar Kumar I knew 5 years ago when I was the chairman," Sharma said.
STCL mentor Ashok Malhotra echoed these sentiments, suggesting that the veteran's return proves that age is merely a number when performance is consistent. "When a player is performing this well, why aren't you picking him? You know what they say—better late than never," Malhotra stated.
Grassroots Talent in the Spotlight
As the League Commissioner of the Salute Tiranga Cricket League, Sharma also provided an update on the tournament's progress. He noted that approximately 15,000 youngsters participated in the trials, highlighting the league's mission to provide a platform for talented players who might be overlooked by traditional state-level selection processes.
"It's heading in a very good direction. 15,000 kids gave the trial. This platform is basically for kids at the grassroots level who have put in the hard work. So we've created this platform for the kids who miss out. And there are some really good kids. I was watching the fast bowlers; amazing," Sharma concluded.