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How Ajit Agarkar's Exit Paved The Way For Bhuvneshwar Kumar's Team India Return
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News18•06-10-2026, 23:50
How Ajit Agarkar's Exit Paved The Way For Bhuvneshwar Kumar's Team India Return
- •Bhuvneshwar Kumar was named in India's squad for the five-T20I series against New Zealand following Ajit Agarkar's departure as chief selector.
- •Reports indicated that Agarkar was previously against looking back at veterans, but interim chairman Pragyan Ojha and the selection committee welcomed Bhuvneshwar's experience.
- •Bhuvneshwar starred in Royal Challengers Bengaluru's back-to-back IPL triumphs, taking 17 wickets in 2025 and 28 in 2026.
- •Central Zone selector RP Singh had pushed for Bhuvneshwar's inclusion, which gained momentum after Jasprit Bumrah was made unavailable for the series.
- •Ajit Agarkar's contract ended after a relationship breakdown with the BCCI, with Parthiv Patel emerging as a potential candidate for the full-time role.
Key Questions Answered
Departing chief selector Ajit Agarkar was opposed to looking back and preferred selecting young stars over veterans like Bhuvneshwar Kumar, despite the pacer's strong performances in the IPL.
Following Agarkar's exit, interim chairman Pragyan Ojha and the other selectors were much more receptive to Bhuvneshwar's experience, especially with Jasprit Bumrah unavailable, leading to his selection for the New Zealand series.
Bhuvneshwar played an instrumental role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru's back-to-back IPL triumphs, claiming 17 wickets in 2025 and 28 wickets in 2026, showcasing his exceptional swing and seam movement with the new ball.
