‘History will be kinder to you’: Gautam Gambhir bids farewell to Ajit Agarkar

India's Coach Gautam Gambhir, right, with Ajit Agarkar (PTI Photo)

India head coach Gautam Gambhir bid farewell to outgoing chief selector Ajit Agarkar, praising his conviction and highlighting the three ICC trophies India won during his tenure.

“Dear Ajit Bhai, an absolute honour to work with you. Those 3 ICC trophies are testimony of your conviction: Team first & Team ahead, always..

I must say, History will be kinder to you.

Thank you for everything. My heartfelt wishes for your future endeavours,” Gambhir posted on X.Agarkar’s tenure as chairman of the senior men’s selection committee officially ended on Tuesday, with the BCCI inviting applications to fill the vacant position.The former India pacer took charge in July 2023 and completed his term on October 4. He had informed the BCCI after its Annual General Meeting on September 18 that he would not seek an extension.During Agarkar’s stint, India reached the 2023 ODI World Cup final before winning the 2024 T20 World Cup, the 2025 Champions Trophy and the 2026 T20 World Cup.Gambhir, who worked closely with Agarkar during his tenure as India head coach, acknowledged the selector’s approach of putting the team ahead of individual considerations.

Ojha takes interim charge

Former India spinner Pragyan Ojha is currently serving as interim chairman of selectors and chaired the meeting that picked India’s squad for the upcoming New Zealand tour.

Ojha, who played 24 Tests for India, could be appointed the full-time chairman based on seniority if the BCCI’s eventual choice has played fewer Tests.Parthiv Patel

, whose name has emerged as a possible addition to the selection panel, would have greater seniority than Ojha, having played 25 Tests for India.The BCCI has invited applications for one position on the five-member senior men’s selection committee. Shiv Sundar Das, Ajay Ratra and RP Singh are the other current members.