Ajay Ratra, the former Indian wicketkeeper, has been appointed as the fifth selector in the Ajit Agarkar-led Indian men’s selection committee. The announcement came after Ratra was chosen from a shortlist of four candidates, including Reetinder Singh Sodhi, Shakti Singh, and Ajay Mehra.
The selection process, overseen by the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) cricket advisory committee, culminates a series of changes within the selection panel.
Ratra’s appointment follows the exit of Salil Ankola, the former India fast bowler, who made way as part of a reshuffle that began earlier this year. Ankola’s position became vulnerable after Ajit Agarkar, from the west zone, was appointed as the chairman of the selection committee in July. This appointment caused a deviation from the BCCI’s long-standing convention of having one selector from each of the five zones (north, south, east, west, and central).
The need for a replacement had been growing since February 2023, when Chetan Sharma, the former selection committee chairman, resigned from his role after becoming embroiled in controversy due to an undercover TV sting operation. Sharma’s departure left the north zone position unfilled, adding pressure for a new appointment. Although Ankola, hailing from Mumbai (west zone), had been a part of the committee, Agarkar’s elevation meant that the west zone already had representation, prompting the BCCI to look for a selector from another region.
Ratra, who played for India in 2002, appearing in six Test matches and 12 One-Day Internationals (ODIs), brings a wealth of experience to his new role. His most memorable on-field moment came during the Antigua Test against the West Indies in 2002, where he scored an unbeaten 115, making him the youngest wicketkeeper to score a century in Test cricket. Ratra also has a solid first-class record, amassing 4029 runs, including eight centuries and 17 half-centuries in 99 matches.
Beyond his playing career, Ratra has built an impressive resume in coaching. He has served as the head coach for domestic teams such as Assam, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh, as well as being part of the support staff for VVS Laxman during India’s tour of South Africa in 2023. His coaching contributions have extended to the women’s senior and junior teams, reflecting his diverse involvement in Indian cricket. Notably, in 2021, Ratra worked with Ricky Ponting as an assistant coach at Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL), further solidifying his credentials as a cricketing mentor.
His immediate challenge as a selector will be overseeing the team composition for the Duleep Trophy, a key domestic tournament that kicks off the Indian cricket season. This assignment will serve as his first major task under the new selection committee.
Ratra’s appointment comes at a time when the BCCI is refining its approach to team selection, balancing experience and fresh talent. His deep understanding of both the men’s and women’s games, as well as his experience with India’s Under-19 World Cup-winning squad of 2000, adds further value to the selection panel.
As the Indian men’s cricket team gears up for a busy season, including high-stakes tournaments and crucial series, Ratra’s insights and expertise will be crucial in shaping the future of Indian cricket. His role will likely extend beyond simply selecting squads, as the BCCI continues to place greater emphasis on player development, long-term strategy, and preparing teams for global competitions.
