Ajit Agarkar quits as Delhi Capitals' assistant coach after reports of him applying for chief selector role emerge

Ajit Agarkar played 191 ODIs, 26 Tests, and four T20Is for India.

Former India speedster Ajit Agarkar parted ways with his Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Delhi Capitals (DC) on June 29, 2023, as the franchise announced on social media. Along with Agarkar, DC also parted ways with assistant coach Shane Watson as well.

Both Ajit Agarkar and Watson joined the franchise after the IPL 2022 mega auction. DC had failed to finish in the top four in that edition of the tournament as well.

In the 10-team IPL 2023 points standings, the Delhi-based squad came in ninth. Only five of the Capitals' 14 games this season were won by the team. Captain Rishabh Pant, who was unable to compete in the tournament owing to injuries, was replaced as captain by veteran opener David Warner.

The Delhi Capitals took to Twitter to announce changes in their coaching staff and extend best wishes to Ajit Agarkar and Shane Watson for their future endeavors. Agarkar and Watson joined the franchise as assistant coaches ahead of the 2022 edition of the IPL.

“You’ll always have a place to call home here. Thank You, Ajit and Watto, for your contributions. All the very best for your future endeavors,” the DC tweeted.

The franchise is expected to continue with its coaching staff, which consists of Sourav Ganguly (Director of Cricket), Ricky Ponting (head coach), James Hopes (bowling coach), Pravin Amre (assistant coach), and Biju George (assistant coach), for the next edition of the cash-rich league.

Ajit Agarkar front-runner to become the next BCCI chief selector - Report

While Shane Watson was removed from his position as an assistant coach by DC, it has been reported that Agarkar tendered his resignation to the franchise as he is the front-runner for the Indian chief selector's job.

The post has been lying vacant since Chetan Sharma’s controversial resignation, which took place in February 2023. The Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) is scheduled to conduct interviews with the shortlisted candidates on July 1.

Agarkar had previously attended a selection process interview in 2021 when Chetan Sharma of the North Zone assumed leadership of the panel. Even though Agarkar had only one year left in his position after four years as the chairman of the junior selection committee, Abey Kuruvilla, a former teammate from Mumbai, beat him out.

The pacer will be one of the most experienced former India cricketers to take up the post with 191 ODIs, 26 Tests and four T20Is under his belt for India from 1998-2007.