Ajay Ratra Joins BCCI Selection Committee: To Replace Salil Ankola, Has Played 6 Tests and 12 ODIs for India

Former Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Ajay Ratra has been appointed as a member of Team India’s selection committee. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced his inclusion in the committee. Ratra will replace Salil Ankola in the committee.

Ajay Ratra has played 6 Test matches and 12 One Day Internationals for India. During his domestic cricket career with Haryana, he scored 4029 runs in 99 first-class matches.

Ajay Ratra’s Coaching Experience and Role with Team India

Ajay Ratra has previously served as the head coach for Assam, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh in domestic cricket. In 2023, he joined Team India as part of the coaching staff for the ODI series in South Africa. Ratra also has experience working with the coaching staff of the Delhi Capitals in the IPL.

Working with Ajit Agarkar

Ajay Ratra will work in the BCCI selection committee under the leadership of Ajit Agarkar. The committee also includes Shiv Sundar Das, Subroto Banerjee, and Sridharan Sharath. The BCCI formed the new selection committee before the 2023 Asia Cup. 

With the new committee in place, India won the Asia Cup, reached the final of the ODI World Cup, and also won the T20 World Cup this year.

Ratra’s First Challenge: Selecting the Team for Bangladesh Series

As a member of the selection committee, Ajay Ratra’s first challenge will be selecting the team for the series against Bangladesh. Team India will play 2 Tests and 3 T20s against Bangladesh. The squad for this series has not yet been announced. 

Under Ajit Agarkar’s leadership, Ratra and the other members of the committee will be responsible for choosing the team for this series.

Following the Bangladesh series, Team India will face New Zealand, Australia, and England. The major challenges ahead for Team India include the Test series in Australia and the Champions Trophy, which will commence next year.