Cricket

Agarkar, Gambhir delivered when Indian cricket needed a shake-up

October 7, 2026

Ajit Agarkar and Gautam Gambhir made a bold and unexpected move by appointing Suryakumar Yadav as India’s T20I captain, bypassing both Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya, who had been favored due to his heroics in the 2024 T20 World Cup final. The decision, which surprised BCCI officials and faced internal resistance, was driven by concerns over Pandya’s fitness, with Agarkar and Gambhir prioritizing team stability over individual preferences.

Their collaborative approach extended beyond this appointment, as Agarkar, as chief selector, consistently deferred to Gambhir’s coaching expertise, even when their views differed—an approach that reflected mutual respect and a shared vision for Indian cricket’s future.

Despite overseeing three ICC trophies—the 2024 T20 World Cup (under Rahul Dravid), the 2025 Champions Trophy, and the 2026 T20 World Cup (with Gambhir)—Agarkar’s tenure ended on a sour note due to his insistence that India should move past Rohit Sharma for the 2027 ODI World Cup. The BCCI’s refusal to adopt this stance reportedly led to his exit, while internal critiques of the Centre of Excellence’s injury management, including scrutiny of its head VVS Laxman, further strained relations.

Gambhir later acknowledged Agarkar’s leadership in a public post, calling his emphasis on ‘team first’ a defining legacy, though the BCCI’s belated acknowledgment of Agarkar’s contributions came too late to alter the outcome.