In a recent development, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia addressed the absence of chief selector Ajit Agarkar from a crucial board meeting. This meeting was convened to review India's recent performances and strategize for the upcoming international calendar, which is gearing up for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Saikia explained that Agarkar was out of town when the meeting was scheduled on short notice. Due to his location, which had poor connectivity, he was unable to join the meeting virtually. "Today he (Agarkar) was out of station, so he could not be a part of the meeting. Because this meeting was called at very short notice and our head of the selection committee, Ajit Agarkar, was not in town, he could not join it, and he was in such an area that he could not join online also, despite our best efforts," Saikia stated to reporters.
Additionally, Saikia dismissed speculation regarding Agarkar's future or potential changes to the senior men's selection committee. He emphasized that there were no discussions about Agarkar's tenure ending or about appointing a new director of cricket for the men’s team. "There was no such discussion on this in today's meeting. I do not comment on new rumours. We did not have any such discussions, nor did we have such intentions," he clarified.
The focus of the meeting was primarily on reviewing India's performances in recent tours, including those in England, Ireland, and Sri Lanka, and planning for the upcoming series leading to the ODI World Cup. Saikia noted, "Our whole focus was on performances in England and Ireland, as well as the recent Test series in Sri Lanka and what we are going to do in the upcoming series before the ODI World Cup, which is our ultimate goal."
Saikia further clarified that the meeting did not involve discussions about individual player selections or team combinations. He stated, "We have not discussed all these things regarding the team selection, team combination, who will be playing in what format. For that, selectors will take a call. Today, the selectors were not part of the discussion." He assured that the selectors would meet to finalize the team for the West Indies series and the subsequent New Zealand series, considering the necessary parameters.
Looking ahead, India's cricket schedule is packed, with the team set to face Afghanistan in a three-match T20I series before participating in the Asian Games in Japan later this month. Following this, the West Indies will tour India for three ODIs and five T20Is. The team will also embark on a challenging multi-format tour of New Zealand, which includes two Tests, five ODIs, and five T20Is. In early 2027, India will host Sri Lanka for three ODIs and three T20Is, and they will also play a three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe. The highlight of this period will be the five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, scheduled from January to March 2027.
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