07 October,2026 03:02 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Gautam Gambhir, Ajit Agarkar (Pic: X/@GautamGambhir)
Team India's head coach Gautam Gambhir heaped praise on outgoing chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar by saying that the three ICC titles that the "Men in Blue" won during his stint in the position are testimony to his conviction: Team first and Team ahead.
Team India won the Champions Trophy 2025 along with the 2024 and 2026 T20 World Cups during Agarkar's tenure as selector.
The incumbent head coach shared a post on his official social media handle, which read, "Dear Ajit Bhai, an absolute honour to work with you. Those 3 ICC trophies are testimony of your conviction: Team first & Team ahead, always.. I must say, History will be kinder to you. Thank you for everything. My heartfelt wishes for your future endeavours !!".
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has invited applications to fill the vacant post.
Additionally, the BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said that the Centre of Excellence head, VVS Laxman, will attend all the senior selection panel meetings to ensure that there is no miscommunication between the committee and the COE.
Currently, Team India is busy featuring in the ongoing five-match T20I series against the West Indies.
The "Men in Blue" have secured victory in the first T20I match by eight wickets.
Shreyas Iyer smashed an unbeaten 102 as India cruised to an eight-wicket win against the West Indies in the first T20I.
Chasing 172 runs to win, India lost both their openers early on, however, a match-winning third-wicket partnership between Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan took the hosts home.
Iyer's innings of 102 runs in 43 balls included 10 fours and six sixes. He was well supported by Ishan Kishan, who scored 37 runs in 27 balls. The duo stitched together a partnership of 137 runs to get the win.
Earlier, West Indies managed to score 171 runs before being all out against India in the first T20I in Lucknow. The visitors failed to get going and struggled in the powerplay as the hosts dominated from the off.
West Indies scored 44 runs for the loss of 3 wickets at the end of the powerplay as debutant Kamil Pooran was dismissed for 12 runs by Arshdeep Singh.
Shimron Hetmyer, in at number three, was run out for 5 runs, and Rovman Powell was dismissed for a duck by Axar Patel as West Indies ended the powerplay poorly after a promising start.
Captain Shai Hope continued his good form, scoring 52 runs off 37 balls. This innings came after his match-winning unbeaten knock of 162 in the third ODI.
West Indies managed to bounce back from a poor powerplay with Sherfane Rutherford scoring a blistering 56 runs in 34 balls. However, there were no other notable contributions as the visitors failed to bat 20 overs and were all out for 171 runs in 19.1 overs.
For India, debutant Naman Dhir was the star with the ball, taking three wickets for 31 runs in his three overs. Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav chipped in with two wickets each as spinners enjoyed a fine night in Lucknow.
(With PTI Inputs)
