Ajay Ratra, a former cricket player for India, was appointed as the newest member of the men's selection committee by the Board of Control for Cricket in India on Tuesday, September 3. On the Ajit Agarkar-led committee, Ratra took Salil Ankola's seat. Ratra will take up the role before India's home Test series against Bangladesh, which begins on September 19. According to the BCCI statement on Tuesday, Ratra, a former Indian wicket keeper-batter, brings with him a plethora of experience and an exceptional track record in both domestic and international cricket.
Ratra participated in 12 ODIs and 6 Tests for India during his career. Playing for Haryana, Ratra participated in more than 90 First Class matches, amassing almost 4,000 runs and being dismissed more than 240 times. In his capacity as a selector, Mr. Ratra will collaborate with the current members of the committee to find and develop the players of the future who will represent India in international cricket. Ratra has been the head coach of Assam, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh, giving him a wealth of coaching expertise. He was also a member of the Indian team's coaching staff in 2023 during their ODI series in South Africa, according to an announcement from the BCCI.
Former Indian cricket player Ajay Ratra is renowned for his extraordinary abilities as a right-handed batter and wicketkeeper. Ratra, who was born in Faridabad, Haryana, on December 13, 1981, made a big impact on Indian cricket during his playing days.
Ratra started playing cricket at an early age. He played for the Indian Under-19 team that won the Youth World Cup in 2000. Later, in a home series against England, he led the squad to victory. Because of his early achievements, he was chosen to train at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore, where he was coached by well-known figures like Rod Marsh and Syed Kirmani.
In 2002, Ratra made his debut for India in six Test matches and twelve One-Day Internationals. He became the youngest wicketkeeper to hit a Test century and the second Indian wicketkeeper to do so abroad when he scored an undefeated 115 against the West Indies in Trinidad. This was one of his greatest accomplishments. He gained prominence as one of the young, potential players in Indian cricket as a result of this outstanding performance.
