Punjab appoint Ajay Ratra as head coach for upcoming Ranji Trophy season

Former Indian wicketkeeper-batsman, Ajay Ratra, has been named as the new head coach of the Punjab team for the upcoming season of the Ranji Trophy. Ranji Trophy 2017-18 will kick off in the first week of October. Ratra, who is a veteran in the Indian domestic circuit, will be replacing Vikram Rathour as the head coach of the Punjab team. Earlier, Rathour had opted to make a move to Himachal Pradesh as the head coach for the 2017-18 edition of the premier domestic tournament.

The Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) had invited the applications for the coveted post recently. Out of all the applications they received, the PCA went forward with the selection of Ajay Ratra for the post. PCA Secretary RP Singla mentioned that the senior players of the Punjab team, Harbhajan Singh and Yuvraj Singh, gave a green signal for the selection of the former Indian wicketkeeper.

“He fits the criteria and this has been done in consultation with both Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh. He will take over on September 26,” PCA secretary RP Singla told The Hindustan Times.

Background

Ajay Ratra is not a new name for the Indian domestic cricket. He was a part of the India U19 team that had won the ICC U19 World Cup in the year 2000. Soon, in the year 2002, he was drafted in the Indian side. He became the youngest wicketkeeper batsman from India to score a century when he notched up a ton at the age of 20.

He played 12 ODIs and 6 Tests for the national side before Parthiv Patel replaced him in the team. He continued to ply his trade in the domestic circuit till the 2014-15 season before calling it a day from all forms of the game. He has played 99 First Class matches in his career.

Team Punjab will start their campaign this year against Himachal Pradesh before taking on Vidarbha, Goa, Chhattisgarh, Bengal and Services.