Ajit Agarkar and the art of selection: Dropping stars, taking bullets, smiling through it

Ajit Agarkar’s stint as India’s chief selector has been defined by bold calls, grooming young talent, and delivering results — including two ICC titles. Former selector Devang Gandhi told TOI that selection is “more elimination than choice,” stressing communication, long-term vision, and alignment with the captain as keys to balancing criticism and building for the future.