Ajay Ratra joins the men's Selection Committee

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on Tuesday, September 3, that former India cricketer Ajay Ratra has been appointed as the newest member of the men's team selection committee. Ratra replaces Salil Ankola on the Ajit Agarkar-led committee and will take up his duties ahead of India's upcoming home Test series against Bangladesh, starting on September 19. Known for his experience as a wicketkeeper-batter, Ratra brings a wealth of knowledge from both domestic and international cricket.

Ratra, who played six Tests and 12 ODIs for India, also had a distinguished first-class career representing Haryana, where he scored nearly 4,000 runs and recorded over 240 dismissals. His contributions to cricket extend beyond his playing days, having served as the Head Coach for teams like Assam, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh, and being part of the Indian coaching staff during the ODI tour of South Africa in 2023.

As a selector, Ratra will work closely with the existing members of the selection committee to identify and nurture the next generation of cricketers for India. The BCCI highlighted that Ratra's coaching experience and cricketing insights will be instrumental in ensuring that the best talent is given the opportunity to excel at the highest level.

Ratra's cricket journey began at a young age, with his early success as part of the Indian Under-19 team that won the Youth World Cup in 2000. He later captained the team to victory against England in a home series. His international debut came in 2002, when he made history by becoming the youngest wicketkeeper to score a Test century, achieving this feat with an unbeaten 115 against the West Indies in Trinidad.

Despite facing tough competition from other wicketkeepers like Parthiv Patel and Dinesh Karthik, Ratra continued to contribute to Indian cricket through his domestic performances. After a 16-year playing career, he retired in July 2015, and since then, he has remained active in the sport as a coach and cricket analyst.

Ajay Ratra's career is a testament to his dedication, hard work, and passion for the game. Now, as a member of the selection committee, he is poised to make significant contributions to the future of Indian cricket.