Ajit Agarkar reveals how IPL helps selectors identify emerging talents every season

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As he settles into his new role as chairman of the BCCI selection committee, Ajit Agarkar, a seasoned Indian fast bowler, has praised India's extensive talent reservoir and lauded the IPL for consistently providing opportunities for emerging cricketers.

Speaking candidly on SportifywithPRG, Agarkar shared insightful perspectives on various topics including the evolving significance of data in team preparation and selection, his strategic approach to the game, the influence of Virat Kohli on Indian players' fitness levels, and the attributes that distinguished MS Dhoni as a remarkable captain.

"The good thing is you have a huge pool to pick from now, there is no dearth of talent in India," emphasised Agarkar. "One thing that is a big difference, and you can see
it over the last 10-15 years, is the progress in the fitness levels of players. Because of this, they can learn much quicker," he remarked.

Agarkar emphasized the abundant talent pool available in India, noting a significant improvement in players' fitness levels over the past decade. He attributed this progress to exemplary figures like Virat Kohli, whose unwavering commitment to fitness has set a high standard for others to follow.

"Virat Kohli for example is one of those guys who set a benchmark, and 15 years into his career, he's only gotten fitter. If someone like him, sets an example and puts forward certain things that you need or certain fitness levels that you need, gradually it progresses across the ecosystem," he opined.

Underlining the IPL's pivotal role in talent identification and promotion, Agarkar, the third-highest wicket-taker for India in ODIs, highlighted how the league consistently unveils fresh talent. He emphasised the rigorous challenges players face in the IPL, which serve as a litmus test for their temperament and consistency on the big stage.

"You can see every year, the IPL just keeps throwing up fresh talent. As a selector there are certain players, we are watching out for but there are certain players who suddenly come and show up even on a big stage. It is a big stage because of the pressure involved and the big crowds.

"You might be bowling to the top batters in the world or facing one of the top bowlers, this is where you can judge the temperament of the player and how consistently he can do it," the Mumbaikar added further.

As the modern game increasingly embraces a data-centric approach, Agarkar underscored the wealth of data available for strategic planning. However, he emphasised the importance of intuition, citing MS Dhoni's astute captaincy as a prime example of the value of instinct in decision-making on the field.

"The amount of data that's available, is incredible. You can plan a whole innings and I think everybody does it now, but it doesn't mean it will work all the time. You need a captain on the ground because not everything that you've planned is going to go your way.

"On a particular day it might, but most days it won't. And that's where you need human instinct. That's why you call MS Dhoni a great captain because he had a feel for the game. He knew what was happening and how the game was changing."

Agarkar also discussed the intricate process of squad composition, stressing the need to combine data analysis with firsthand observation of players' performances under pressure.

Furthermore, Agarkar touched upon the significance of team culture and the influence of senior players in shaping it. Drawing from his experiences with teams like Mumbai and the Indian national squad, he highlighted the role of stalwarts like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sourav Ganguly in setting high standards for their teammates to emulate.