Former India Cricketer Ajay Ratra Replaces Salil Ankola In BCCI Men’s Selection Committee

New Delhi: Former India cricketer Ajay Ratra has replaced Salil Ankola on the BCCI men’s selection committee headed by Ajit Agarkar. Ratra’s appointment took place at the recommendation of the Cricket Advisory Committee. Ratra represented India in six Tests and 12 ODIs. Representing Haryana, Ratra played over 90 First Class matches, scoring close to 4000 runs and had over 240 dismissals as a wicketkeeper.
“The Cricket Advisory Committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday named Mr Ajay Ratra as the newest member of the Men’s Selection Committee headed by Mr Ajit Agarkar. Mr Ratra will replace Mr Salil Ankola in the Committee,” BCCI said in a statement.
Ratra brings with him a wealth of experience and an impressive track record in both domestic and international cricket. As a selector, Ratra will work alongside the existing members of the selection committee to identify and support the next generation of cricketers who will represent India on the global stage.
Ratra has an extensive coaching experience having worked as a head coach of Assam, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. He was also a part of the coaching staff of the Indian team during their ODI series in South Africa in 2023. His insights will be instrumental to the committee in ensuring that the best talent is identified, nurtured, and given the opportunity to excel at the highest level. Ratra will be on the job from Thursday when the Duleep Trophy begins.
“It is a huge honour and a challenge. I look forward to contributing to Indian cricket,” Ratra told PTI shortly after the announcement. The BCCI had invited applications for the post of selector back in January. Four shortlisted candidates — Ratra, Retinder Singh Sodhi, Ajay Mehra and Shakti Singh were interviewed by the Ashok Malhotra-led CAC in June.
The selection panel did not have a representation from the North Zone following the unceremonious exit of Chetan Sharma in February 2023. Ratra was also a member of the support staff that travelled with India A women’s team to Australia last month. All of Ratra’s matches for India came in 2002. The highlight of his brief international career was the 115 not out he made against the West Indies in a Test played in Antigua.