Former Indian pacer Ajit Agarkar has been appointed as the chairman of selectors for the Indian men’s cricket team. The Indian Cricket Board (ICB) announced his selection on Tuesday in an official press note. It’s worth noting that the 45-year-old Agarkar had applied for the selector’s role, which had been vacant since February. In addition to this role, Agarkar has been offered a huge sum of INR 3 Crore as a salary, which is 200% more than his previous contract.
The former chairman of the selection committee, Chetan Sharma, stepped down in February following a sting operation conducted by an Indian news channel. “The Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), consisting of Sulakshana Naik, Ashok Malhotra, and Jatin Paranjape, conducted interviews for the position of one selector in the Men’s Selection Committee. The CAC unanimously recommended Ajit Agarkar for the role”, says the ICB in a press note.
With his appointment, Agarkar will become the fifth member of the selection panel. The existing panel already includes Shiv Sunder Das, Salil Ankola, Subroto Banerjee, and Sridharan Sharath. Agar, who has represented India in the highest number of Test matches among these five, will head the committee. The first assignment of the committee will be picking up the T20I team for India’s West Indies tour.
Ajit Agarkar had an illustrious career in India
Speaking about Ajit Agarkar’s stint as a player for India, it is nothing sort of legendary. He has been phenomenal throughout his career with both bat and ball. Agarkar has represented India in 26 Tests, 191 ODIs, and four T20Is. He has taken 288 wickets in ODIs, three in T20Is, and 58 in Test cricket.
Agarkar also holds the record for the fastest half-century by an Indian batsman in ODIs. In the year 2000, he hammered a brilliant half-century against Zimbabwe in 21 balls to achieve this record. Meanwhile, fans and cricket pundits have high hopes for Agarkar, as he will have to take India through a smooth transition while eyeing upcoming Multinational tournaments.
Here is how fans react to a hike in Ajit Agarkar’s salary:
Good if salary cap increases for all other posts too we may see many former players into these as by brand endorsement, analysts in channels and from.ipl they earn mlre
— PAVAN KANTAMNENI (@pavankantamneni) July 5, 2023
Not so long ago a celebrated cricketer who clocked over 100 test matches got paid a paltry 50 lakhs as Chief Selector
— sanjay rai (@sanjai58) July 5, 2023
And is this also non taxable like revenue of @bcci or is this also gonna be shown as agricultural income or he has a farmer instead of former ?
— Jayesh Veeraraghavan (@JayeshRaghavan) July 5, 2023
As a former pace bowler he needs to identify and bring some new fast bowlers to Team India. Pace bowling has always been the issue.
— Srikanth Dhulipala (@SrikanthDhul26) July 5, 2023
Good thing and hope he does well in selection process and getting enough new talented player's from all over India and hope good selection will bring ICC trophy ?
— Babu Bhuyan (@bhuyanbipra21) July 5, 2023
Damn, so many people give free advise on social media. They should hold back on revealing their team selection unless paid.
— ziggystarbucks (@crmag3) July 5, 2023
In hand firr bhi 30k hi aaega..CTC things you know..
— Prasad Rajput (@Prasad__Rajput) July 5, 2023
Good .. selectors must establish their own network of scouts – state wide, district wise – to cover all 650+ districts of india .. this network of scouts must be given good remuneration so that there is lesser corruption
— Vivek (@vivekpunekar) July 5, 2023
Is Ajit Agarkar the youngest to take on the role?
— Karanjeet S Bedi (@SardarFrmAdyar) July 5, 2023
Landya will pay him 10+ cr for Sofa
— Aryan 45 ?? (@Iconic_Rohit) July 5, 2023
Another selector from Mumbai. Nothing going to change in indian team selection.
— prasanna (@sannaah901) July 5, 2023
