BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar offered a rare and candid insight into the immense pressure, scrutiny, and responsibility that come with selecting players for one of the most competitive cricket teams in the world. Speaking at the NDTV World Summit 2025, Agarkar described his role as “demanding, hectic, and high-pressure,” admitting that no selector can ever satisfy everyone in a cricket-obsessed country like India.
Ajit Agarkar Opens Up on Selection Pressure, Social Media Criticism, and Challenges of Leading Indian Cricket’s Talent Pipeline
Agarkar, who took over as chairman of the BCCI selection committee in July 2023, highlighted how dramatically his perspective on the sport has shifted through his three cricketing careers—cricketer, commentator, and now selector.
“Playing gave me the most satisfaction”
The former India pacer recalled the clarity that comes with being an active player.
“As a player, the ball or the bat is in your hand. Every decision has a direct impact on your performance,” he said. “You can take control of your game. That’s why playing gave me the most satisfaction.”
However, once he transitioned into commentary and later into selection, the dynamics changed completely.
“As a selector, you don’t have that control anymore. Once you pick the squad of 15, a lot is out of your hands. You hope your decisions were right, but the outcome is shaped by many factors—form, conditions, team strategy, injuries, and opportunities.”
Agarkar stressed that selectors work behind the scenes with little fanfare, yet their decisions can “shape or end careers,” making the job both impactful and emotionally challenging.
Managing India’s talent pool: ‘A good problem to have’
Agarkar also spoke about India’s massive talent reservoir—arguably the largest and most competitive in world cricket.
“Having so many players to pick from is a good problem,” he said. “It creates competition, raises standards, and ensures players don’t take their place for granted.”
But the depth also brings dilemmas.
“You know that whatever decision you make, some section of fans will disagree. Sometimes you leave out a deserving player simply because someone else fits a particular role better. These decisions are never simple.”
The chief selector revealed that the committee monitors domestic cricket, the IPL, and international engagement throughout the year before making any decisions. “Merit remains the core criteria,” he stressed.
On social media trends: “A no-win situation”
When asked about fan-driven trends like #JusticeForShreyasIyer, Agarkar responded with a smile but chose his words carefully.
“It’s a no-win situation,” he admitted. “If you react, you’re wrong. If you ignore it, you’re wrong. We do not make decisions based on trends. The selection process is long, detailed, and based on input from coaches, support staff, and performance metrics.”
He added that while selectors are aware of public sentiment, they cannot allow emotion or pressure to override merit-based decisions.
“Fans are passionate, which is good. But selection needs balance, objectivity, and a long-term view. Trends change every day—our responsibility doesn’t.”
A role that comes with constant scrutiny
The 47-year-old acknowledged that being India’s chief selector puts him under continuous examination from fans, media, former players, and analysts.
“It is a high-pressure job, and while you cannot please everyone, the goal is to do the best job possible,” Agarkar said.
He also highlighted how selectors often make contributions that remain invisible unless the team succeeds.
“When things go right, people focus on the players—and that’s how it should be. But when things go wrong, selectors come under the scanner very quickly. It’s part of the job.”
Shaping the future of Indian cricket
Under Agarkar’s tenure, India has witnessed transitions in leadership, experimentation in white-ball formats, and bold decisions in squad rotation. The shift toward younger talent across formats has been a defining feature of this selection committee.
Agarkar said the committee’s primary goal is to build depth with future ICC tournaments in mind, ensuring India stays competitive across formats.
“The responsibility is huge,” he concluded. “You’re not just picking teams for today—you’re shaping Indian cricket’s future.”
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