{
  "id": 12822164,
  "title": "India vs West Indies in Ranchi brings back an Ajit Agarkar memory",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/india-vs-west-indies-in-ranchi-brings-back-an-ajit-agarkar-memory",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-08T08:11:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Times of India",
    "slug": "times-of-india",
    "url": "https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-vs-west-indies/india-vs-west-indies-in-ranchi-brings-back-an-ajit-agarkar-memory-but-his-role-has-completely-changed/articleshow/134784324.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former India pacer Ajit Agarkar reminisces about his connection to Ranchi as T20I cricket returns to the city. While he is no longer part of the selection committee, Agarkar has a memorable experience from 2023 when he conducted the pitch report for India's T20I against New Zealand. As part of the broadcast, Agarkar assessed the playing conditions, including the dimensions of the ground, grass cover, and potential dew impact. He described the pitch as excellent, with even grass coverage and promising help from the new ball, noting that the dew factor had been minimized through careful outfield grass management. With Agarkar's three-year tenure as chairman of selectors concluding, the BCCI is now seeking applications to fill the vacant position.",
  "summary": "In 2023, when India played New Zealand in a T20I at the same venue, Ajit Agarkar did the pitch report before the match. As part of the broadcast coverage, Agarkar assessed the playing conditions and pointed out the dimensions of the ground, the grass cover and the possible impact of dew.",
  "key_points": [
    "Former India pacer Ajit Agarkar reminisces about his connection to Ranchi.",
    "Conducted pitch report for India vs New Zealand in 2023.",
    "BCCI seeking applications to fill vacant selection committee position."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "ESPNcricinfo",
        "title": "Can West Indies find a way to halt India's home juggernaut?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/can-west-indies-find-a-way-to-halt-indias-home-juggernaut",
        "published": "2026-10-08T10:39:23.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}