Ajit Agarkar’s BCCI stint headed for a stormy end amid clashes with Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli predicts ex-ENG cricketer

Power struggle with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli could spell trouble for Ajit Agarkar’s tenure as chief selector. (Photo: X)

Ajit Agarkar, the chief selector, has faced criticism in the wake of the change in captaincy from Rohit Sharma to Shubman Gill. Indian cricket team seems to be passing through a transitional phase and more so when Agarkar declined to give any indication whether Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli would make it to the team for World Cup when announcing the team for Australia tour. Rohit and Kohli have already retired from the Test format and T20I, making ODIs their only active format right now. Although the two senior players had earlier made it clear that they wanted to play in the 2027 ODI World Cup too, that is unlikely going to be on their agenda now as selectors are set to skip them from. The selectors expect the duo to play domestic cricket to keep their places in check.

"Unfortunately, I think there might be a messy end for Ajit Agarkar there. If anybody is going to win here I think it is the former captains rather than the former all-rounder. But it all depends on, if Agarkar is saying this, just to fuel the fire of Kohli and Sharma, then fair enough. You put your cards on the table and see what comes," Harmison said on talkSPORT Cricket.

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Virat Kohli was in a great touch in the Champions Trophy scoring a century against Pakistan and also coming good in the semifinal against Australia. Rohit, who had a quiet campaign this year, came to the party in the final as India clinched their second ICC trophy in six months with an innings that was nothing short of dominating against New Zealand.

He also warned India about the decision on Kohli as he is still one of the best in the ODI format.

"I think Kohli has got a little bit of skin in the game. Runs in the bank, his reputation. Sharma, not as much. Sharma's a little bit older. He's not been as influential in 50-over cricket as Virat has. If Virat turns around and says, "All right, you go to the 50-over World Cup without me and leading up to it, let's see when you're chasing 350 in 50 overs to win against Australia or England, and you haven't got that bloke who averages 90 winning games at number four, see where your teams at". There could be a messy end in that way. There could also be words that have been misunderstood in translation," he added.