Who will be the next BCCI Chief Selector?: The Delhi Capitals have decided to part ways with not one, but two members of their coaching staff: Shane Watson and Ajit Agarkar, while the rest of the coaching staff, including head coach Ricky Ponting and mentor Sourav Ganguly are expected to continue in IPL 2024.
Former Indian Cricketer Leaves DC Amidst BCCI Chief Selector Race
After reaching the playoffs in three consecutive seasons from 2019 to 2021, the Delhi Capitals have failed to reach the playoffs in two consecutive seasons in IPL 2022 and IPL 2023, with the David Warner-led side finishing 9th in the latest tournament, managing 5 wins in 14 matches.
Having had a terrible season, which included some questionable selection calls and some poor decisions during the game from the management, the Delhi Capitals were expected to ring some changes in their coaching staff and have done so by releasing Shane Watson and Ajit Agarkar.
“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 endeavours,” Delhi Capitals confirmed the same via a tweet.
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 endeavours 🙌#YehHaiNayiDilli pic.twitter.com/n25thJeB5B
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) June 29, 2023
Ajit Agarkar, who had joined the Capitals coaching staff in 2022, is already rumored to take up the Chief Selector’s position of the Indian men’s cricket team. Shane Watson had also joined DC in 2022.
In the IPL 2022, Delhi Capitals were without their captain and wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant, who was laid low due to injuries suffered in the car accident in December. DC tried three different keepers in the tournament but nothing really worked overall and they slumped in the bottom of the table throughout.
Meanwhile, the BCCI’s wish of landing a high-profile name as their new chairman of the BCCI Selection Committee is looking likely to become true as Ajit Agarkar is expected to take office next month after the interviews with the BCCI-appointed Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC).
Agarkar was part of India’s 2007 T20 World Cup winning squad – since then India have not won the T20 WC. So he brings some experience of playing and winning in the shortest format, making that an added bonus.
Agarkar has significant international experience of 26 Tests, 191 ODIs, and 4 T20Is along with 42 IPL matches, and is a respected figure in the cricket fraternity.
