The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday appointed former Indian wicketkeeper Ajay Ratra as the selector of the men’s cricket team, replacing Salil Ankola in the five-member selection panel. As per tradition, all five selectors represent different regions and Ratra will represent the North Zone in the committee headed by Ajit Agarkar.
After Agarkar was appointed chief selector last year, the selection panel had two selectors from the West Zone. Ankola was already part of the committee. 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.’
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After Agarkar was appointed chief selector last year, the selection panel included two selectors from the West Zone, with Ankola already being part of the committee. So, to maintain the balance of regional representation within the selection panel, it was already decided that one member would leave and the BCCI decided to remove Salil Ankola from the selection committee. Ratra expressed his gratitude to the BCCI for getting the new responsibility.
He told PTI, ‘It is a great honour and a challenge too. I am looking forward to contributing to Indian cricket.’ India will play a two-Test series against Bangladesh from September 19. However, Ajay Ratra will take charge from September 5, when the Duleep Trophy begins. 42-year-old Ratra has played 6 Tests and 12 ODIs for India. He used to be a wicketkeeper batsman.
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He has scored 163 runs in 10 innings of Tests at an average of 18.11 and a strike rate of 30.58. In 8 innings of ODIs, he has scored 90 runs at an average of 12.85 and a strike rate of 70.86. Ratra has also been the head coach of Assam, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh Ranji teams. He was also part of the coaching staff of the Indian team during the ODI series in South Africa in 2023.
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)