‘History will be kinder to you’: Gautam Gambhir pens emotional farewell to outgoing chief selector Ajit Agarkar

‘History will be kinder to you’: Gautam Gambhir pens emotional farewell to outgoing chief selector Ajit Agarkar originally appeared on Cricket News.
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KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Gautam Gambhir paid an emotional tribute to India’s outgoing chief selector Ajit Agarkar on X.
• Agarkar’s tenure brought three ICC trophies, and he declined an extension after the AGM.
• Pragyan Ojha is interim chairman while the BCCI invites applications for the vacant post.

Gautam Gambhir salutes former chief selector Ajit Agarkar’s ‘team first’ vision in a touching tribute post

Gautam Gambhir wrote a warm farewell note on X, praising outgoing Chief Selector Agarkar’s conviction and also pointed to the three ICC trophies India won while he headed the selection committee.

Agarkar’s term as chairman of the senior men’s selection committee officially wrapped up on Sunday, and the BCCI has now invited applications to fill the vacancy. The former India pacer took charge in July 2023 and finished his term on October 4.

After the board’s Annual General Meeting on September 18, he told the BCCI he wouldn’t be seeking an extension.

The results during his time were strong. India reached the 2023 ODI World Cup final and then won the 2024 T20 World Cup, the 2025 Champions Trophy and the 2026 T20 World Cup.

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Gambhir worked closely with Agarkar as head coach, and he used his post to acknowledge how the selector approached his job. In Gambhir’s view, the team always came before any one player.

“Dear Ajit Bhai, an absolute honour to work with you. Those 3 ICC trophies are a testimony of your conviction: Team first & Team ahead, always.. I must say, History will be kinder to you. Thank you for everything. My heartfelt wishes for your future endeavours,” Gambhir posted on X.

Pragyan Ojha takes interim charge: Who could become India’s next chairman of selectors?

For now, former India spinner Pragyan Ojha is the interim chairman. He chaired the meeting that picked India’s squad for the upcoming New Zealand tour.

Ojha played 24 Tests, and if the BCCI’s eventual choice has played fewer, he could be made the full-time chairman on seniority.

The BCCI has invited applications for one spot on its five-member senior men’s selection committee. Former wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel has emerged as a possible addition. He played 25 Tests, which would make him the first choice to lead the selection committee in the run-up to the 2027 World Cup. 

MORE: Explaining how Agarkar’s replacement can trump Ojha for India Chief Selector role

Gambhir is right about Agarkar’s record, but the next chairman faces a different test

Gambhir’s message is generous, and the numbers back him up. Three ICC titles and a World Cup final in under three years is a fine return for any selection panel. Agarkar also leaves on his own terms, having chosen not to seek an extension, and that deserves credit.

Still, a tribute from the coach is not the full picture. Selectors get judged on hard calls, including who gets dropped, who’s backed and when. Agarkar’s panel was often criticised for such decisions, and Gambhir’s praise tells us how the dressing room feels, not how every fan does. That’s a fair debate, and “history will be kinder” is simply Gambhir’s prediction.

What matters now is continuity. India are preparing for tours and a 2027 World Cup, and an open selection post is a risk if it drags on. The BCCI should move quickly, pick someone with clear authority, and give the panel a stable leader. If Ojha continues on seniority, that works, since he’s already led the squad pick for New Zealand. If Parthiv Patel joins, the panel would gain an experienced voice.

Either way, the next chairman inherits a strong side, but strong sides get judged harder.

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