Rohit Sharma and VVS Laxman ahve emerged as reasons behind Ajit Agarkar's exit |Courtesy - AI GENERATED IMAGE While an official confirmation from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is still awaited, it is clear that VVS Laxman's tenure as the Indian men's cricket team's chief selector is set to end in October, when his contract expires. The ex-Indian pacer has been in charge of the selection committee since July 2023 and selected the squads that won the 2024 and 2026 T20 World Cups as well as the 2025 Champions Trophy, alongside the one that played in the 2023 World Cup. At the end of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) AGM on Friday (September 18), BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia claimed that there are still 15 days left in the contract, hinting at an exit. Meanwhile, the board's vice-president Rajiv Shukla stated that office-bearers have been granted permission to take a decision. However, it was evident that things were not rosy when Agarkar did not attend the BCCI's review meeting in Mumbai earlier this month and was not present even virtually. It has now emerged, as per a report by Press Trust of India (PTI), that tensions over Rohit Sharma's future and a difference of opinion with VVS Laxman are the reason behind the call not to extend his contract. The published information states that before the England series, a collective decision was taken by decision-makers in the BCCI and the selection committee. Pragyan Ojha had conveyed the decision to Rohit, who was not happy and spoke to a 'powerful administrator' and complained about the treatment by Agarkar. The same report further claimed that Agarkar was left 'sighted and angry' after Saikia gave a statement claiming there was no truth to rumours about Rohit's retirement after the second ODI, before Rohit hit a ton in the Lord's ODI, which was reported to be his final game in Indian colours. "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. He understood that going forward, the call on big names won't be his prerogative," a senior BCCI official told PTI on condition of anonymity. It is further claimed that Agarkar did not have confidence that, with age not on his side, Rohit would be effective in South Africa next year in the 2027 World Cup. Moreover, they wanted Yashasvi Jaiswal to get enough game time before the mega event. It has also emerged that there was a difference in policy between Agarkar and Centre of Excellence (CoE) Head VVS Laxman. With Gautam Gambhir taking charge of the team for the ODI squad against West Indies, Laxman is travelling with the team to Japan for the 2026 Asian Games. PTI claims that Agarkar was not on board with the decision to send a full-strength team to a 'tier-2' event, but Laxman wants to play the best team available. Meanwhile, the scheduling of India-A games also became a point of difference as the shadow team's home series against Australia-A is clashing with the Irani Cup. These games are taking place at the same time as the Asian Games and the ODIs against the Caribbean nations. The responsibility for making the schedule for the India-A games lies with the head of CoE. Another point of contention between Laxman and Agarkar, as per the same report, has been the injuries to top players. While Agarkar was not happy with no clear timelines being provided by CoE for the return of players, Laxman was displeased at being blamed for injuries, which are not in his hands. Aayush Kataria is a Senior Copy Editor at Times Network with four years of experience, having started his career in the organisation. He is a key memb... View More