The Board of Control for Cricket (BCCI) in India has included former Indian cricketer Ajay Ratra as a new member of the men’s selection committee. Ratra replaced Salil Ankola in the selection committee headed by Ajit Agarkar. He will take up the post in the wake of the two-match Test series against Bangladesh starting on September 19. Former wicketkeeper-batter Ratra has bags of experience in the domestic and international game.
Ajay Ratra has played six Tests and 12 ODIs for India. He has represented Haryana in first-class cricket and has played over 90 first-class matches and scored nearly four thousand runs. Apart from this, 240 catches have been taken behind the wicket.
The BCCI released a statement saying that as a selector, Ajay Ratra will work with the existing members of the selection committee to identify and support the next generation of cricketers who will represent India at the global level. Ratra has extensive coaching experience having served as the head coach of Assam, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh. He was part of the coaching staff of the Indian team during the ODI series in South Africa in 2023.
Ajay Ratra set to represent the north division
As per tradition all the five selectors represent different regions and Ajay Ratra will represent North Division in the committee chaired by Ajit Agarkar. After Agarkar was appointed as the chief selector last year, the selection committee had two selectors from the western region.
Salil Ankola was already part of the committee. India is scheduled to play a two-match Test series against Bangladesh from September 19. Ajay Ratra told news agency PTI immediately after the announcement, “It is a great honor and a challenge. I am looking forward to contributing to Indian cricket.”
