2024-09-03 17:43:32
New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday appointed former India wicketkeeper Ajay Ratra as the men’s cricket team selector, replacing Salil Ankola in the five-member selection panel. As per tradition, all five selectors represent different zones and Ratra will represent North Zone in the committee headed by Ajit Agarkar. The selection panel had two selectors from West Zone after Agarkar was appointed chief selector last year. Ankola was already part of the committee.What did BCCI say in the statement issued?
The BCCI statement said, ‘The Cricket Advisory Committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday appointed Ajay Ratra as the new member of the men’s selection committee headed by Ajit Agarkar. Ratra will replace Salil Ankola in the committee.’ India has to play a two-Test series against Bangladesh from September 19. However, Ratra will take charge from Thursday when the Duleep Trophy begins.
What did Ajay Ratra say after being appointed?
Ratra said soon after the announcement, “It is a great honor and challenge. I am looking forward to contributing to Indian cricket.” The BCCI invited applications for the selector post in January and shortlisted the names of Ratra, Reetinder Singh Sodhi, Ajay Mehra and Shakti Singh who were interviewed by the Cricket Advisory Committee headed by Ashok Malhotra in June. After the exit of Chetan Sharma in February 2023, there was no representative of the North Zone in the selection panel.
Who is Ajay Ratra?
Ajay Ratra was also a member of the support staff that travelled with the India A women’s team to Australia last month. The 42-year-old former cricketer is also a level three coach and has coached Assam, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh in domestic cricket. He has also worked extensively at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and was part of the Indian team’s coaching staff during the ODI series in South Africa last year. Ratra played six Tests and 12 ODIs for India in 2002. The highlight of his brief international career was an unbeaten 115 against the West Indies in the Antigua Test. He was not a part of Team India for long. His international career ended within 6 months. A BCCI source said, “He was the most qualified candidate among all those who interviewed for the post.”