Perhaps the straw that broke the camel’s back was Agarkar not even remotely joining the all important review meeting in Mumbai to discuss the England series debacle and the road ahead. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia defended him but at one level, many in the board thought that Agarkar should have attended such an important meeting. The drama surrounding the future of former skipper Rohit Sharma and the ever growing differences with Centre of Excellence head VVS Laxman became the main reasons for chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar and the BCCI to part ways ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.
He understood that going forward, the call on big names won’t be his prerogative,” a senior BCCI official privy to development told PTI on conditions of anonymity. the BCCI over the last month dropped enough hints that they would be looking at a fresh face While he wasn’t averse to continuing till end of ODI World Cup in South Africa. Normally, the BCCI, wouldn’t like to let go of someone whose panel picked squads that reached four ICC white ball tournament finals in last three years, winning three trophies (two T20 WC title and one CT). “That was perhaps the day when Ajit knew that it would be very difficult for him to continue. In fact, he had no inkling that a media statement was issued by the BCCI.
“If you think that VVS Laxman’s urge to win at all costs is anything less than say a Virat Kohli or a Sourav Ganguly, then you are mistaken. In Hangzhou, it was Ruturaj Gaikwad who had led the side as the first team was busy with ODI World Cup. This time, Shubman Gill is going into a ODI series without Shreyas Iyer, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Ishan Kishan, Washington Sundar, at least four of them being first team players.
Whatever be the competition, Laxman always wanted the best eleven to play,” a former state team coach who has seen Laxman operate from close quarters at the COE, said.
It was just before the white ball series against England when the selection committee headed by now former chairman Ajit Agarkar in consonance with Indian team management and the key decision makers in the BCCI decided to move on from veteran opener Rohit Sharma after the Lord’s ODI.
