Ajit Agarkar named Indian cricket team's chief selector: Top 3 challenges for former pacer

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The BCCI on Tuesday appointed former pacer Ajit Agarkar as the chairman of the Indian Senior Men's Selection Committee. The selection has been welcomed by all. A former cricketer of Agarkar's stature in the selection panel, especially as the chairman, was the need of the hour in World Cup year.

Agarkar is one of the most experienced former cricketers to be appointed in the role. Apart from playing 26 Test matches and 191 ODIs, the 45-year-old is the first Indian chief selector to have played T20I cricket. The former Mumbai pacer was once the fastest bowler to take 50 ODI wickets. He still holds the record for the fastest ODI fifty (off 21 balls) by an Indian in ODI cricket.

Ajit Agarkar has also played four T20Is. He has played for Delhi Capitals (DC) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in his 42-match IPL career. Agarkar, who played 110 first-class matches and 270 List A matches, has also led Mumbai in the past.

Quite naturally a lot will be expected from him. Considering that India haven't won an ICC title since 2013, the pressure on him increases further. Agarkar's appointment comes at a time when the ODI World Cup is just three months away. A look at three of his biggest challenges.

Holding his ground against larger-than-life figures in Indian cricket

Agarkar is just 45-year-old and selecting a young and dynamic candidate was one of BCCI's parameters. He is big in stature and has close friendships with the legends of Indian cricket. His strong bonds with the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Zaheer Khan and Yuvraj Singh is well known.

This is in complete contrast with someone like MSK Prasad who played a handful of matches without making any impact. Leaving a player of stature out for his bad performances needs guts and Agarkar would be expected to display more of it. Indian selection committees have been called 'spineless' for their inability to put their points in front of or standing against the larger-than-life figures in the Indian cricket team.

Take for example players like KL Rahul have walked straight into events like Asia Cup despite long absence from the game. Jasprit Bumrah was dubiously included in the India squad despite not being hundred percent match fit. Sarfaraz Khan has been overlooked despite stellar domestic campaigns and IPL stars have got Test call-ups before him.

Agarkar will have the challenge of standing up against unworthy demands (or commands) from big wigs of the Indian cricket team. He will need to bring an end to the 'favouritism' culture and make the Indian team more team-centric than individual-centric. He will have the task of phasing out the senior players from at least the Test team.

Help India bring an end to their ICC title drought

India haven't won an ICC trophy since clinching the Champions Trophy in 2013. Failures in 2014 T20 World Cup, 2015 ODI World Cup, 2016 T20 World Cup, 2017 Champions Trophy, 2019 ODI World Cup, 2021 WTC final, 2021 T20 World Cup, 2022 T20 World Cup and WTC Final 2023 is a huge list.

The BCCI have become the richest board in the world but the big trophies continue to miss from the Indian cabinet. India boasts of star players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Suryaumar Yadav, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami but still the team has fallen flat in multi-nation events.

India is home to the IPL - the biggest T20 league in the world - however, the team hasn't won a single T20 World Cup since the inauguration of the cash-rich league.

Failing to win in two consecutive WTC finals have also raised a lot of eyebrows. The next ODI World Cup is just three months and the approach of Ajit Agarkar would be there to be seen. Can he bring that perfect balance in the team? Will he make a few fortune-changing decisions?

From his analysis during his commentary stints, Agarkar appears to be the astute reader of the game. The challenge here for him is now to put his words into practicality. He was good with his words outside of the system. Only time will tell if he is the same with his actions inside the system.

Negotiate through customised 'work-load' management of players

The work-load management of players is one of the concepts which has popped up lately in international cricket. The scheduling is seriously tough. However, the amount paid to the Indian cricketers justify that. There are millions who would die to play that much cricket for that much money.

The concept of work-load management in Indian cricket is crooked because of the IPL. Players can't miss games for their franchise but they are comfortable enough to go out holidaying by taking a break from international cricket.

MIcthell Starc and Pat Cummins give up on lucrative IPL deals to be fresh and prepared for the Australia team, however, the scenario is entirely different in India. Players were playing in the IPL, just a week before the WTC final.

Agarkar's stance on the same will be interesting to see.

Note: Agarkar will also have the task to pick the next India ODI and Test captain. However, he has a four months time to prepare for that.