## Dramatic Leadership Changes During Ajit Agarkar’s Selection Tenure
Ajit Agarkar’s period as the chief selector for Indian cricket witnessed notable turbulence in the white-ball captaincy roles, particularly involving Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya. These leadership decisions were widely regarded as problematic and poorly executed.
### Rohit Sharma’s Captaincy Shift
One significant leadership call was Rohit Sharma's appointment as captain in limited-overs cricket. Although Rohit had substantial experience and success at the domestic and international levels, the transition in leadership under Agarkar's tenure was perceived as mismanaged. The frequent captaincy changes during this time disrupted team stability.
### Hardik Pandya’s Captaincy Experiment
Equally controversial was the decision to appoint Hardik Pandya as captain. Despite his strong all-round performance on the field, his captaincy tenure did not meet expectations. Critics described the move as a "royal mess," pointing to lack of strategic clarity and support for the young leader.
> “These leadership calls under Agarkar created confusion within the team and raised questions about the selector’s long-term vision,” noted one cricket analyst.
### Impact on Team Dynamics
The captaincy decisions under Agarkar’s regime raised concerns about consistency and leadership development within the Indian cricket setup. The selectors’ failure to provide a stable leadership environment was often blamed for underperformance in key tournaments.
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Ajit Agarkar’s tenure as chief selector was marked by controversial captaincy decisions involving Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya, leading to instability and criticism within Indian cricket.
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The Times of India — 2025-11-29