Live Update: “History will be kinder to you” – Gautam Gambhir pays tribute to Ajit Agarkar after his exit as chief selector. India head coach Gautam Gambhir has praised Ajit Agarkar’s tenure as chief selector, citing three ICC trophies as evidence of his team-first proach.
‘History will be kinder to you’ – Gautam Gambhir pays tribute to Ajit Agarkar after his exit as chief selector (Source: Gareth Copley/) India head coach Gautam Gambhir has paid a heartfelt tribute to Ajit Agarkar after his resignation from the role of chairman of the senior selection committee. Agarkar’s term as Chief Selector ended on October 4, 2026 after he informed the BCCI of his decision to step down before the Annual General Meeting on September 18, 2026. Gambhir acknowledged Agarkar’s contributions during their association and highlighted the three ICC trophies won under his leadership as a reflection of his commitment to the team.
“Dear Ajit Bhai, it is an absolute honor to work with you. These 3 ICC trophies demonstrate your belief: team first and team ahead, always. I must say that history will be kinder to you.
Thank you for everything. I sincerely wish you all the best for your future endeavors,” Gambhir wrote on X. What has India achieved during Agarkar’s tenure as chief selector?
Ajit Agarkar was pointed Chairman of the Senior Men’s Selection Committee on July 4, 2023 and served in the role for just over three years until October 2026. During his tenure as the selector, India won three major ICC titles namely T20 World Cup 2024, ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and T20 World Cup 2026. These victories across formats highlighted the consistency of the teams assembled under Agarkar’s watch.
The period from July 2023 to October 2026 proved to be one of the most successful periods for Indian cricket in terms of ICC tournament results, with the team winning silver medals in each of the three global competitions it participated in during this window. In Gambhir’s tribute, these three trophies were specifically highlighted as evidence of Agarkar’s conviction and unwavering will to put the team above all else during his tenure. The Indian head coach’s words reflect the close working relationship the two men enjoyed during a remarkably productive era for the national team.
Why did Agarkar resign and who will be his successor? Agarkar informed the BCCI of his intention to vacate his position before the Board’s annual general meeting on September 18, 2026, with his term officially ending on October 4, 2026. The specific reasons behind his decision to resign were not publicly disclosed by either Agarkar or the BCCI.
After his departure, the BCCI launched a search for the next chief selector. No successor has been officially named as of October 7, 2026. The Board’s process to identify and point a new Senior Selection Committee Chair is currently underway.
