PANAJI: JSW-GMR co-owned Delhi Capitals today announced the appointment of former India wicket-keeper Ajay Ratra as the team’s assistant-coach for the upcoming season of the VIVO Indian Premier League.
In a press release issued from New Delhi, Ratra said: “I am honoured to join Delhi Capitals as Assistant Coach. This is a very exciting team to work with, abundant with talent. I can’t wait to meet the team and contribute to its success. I am grateful to the Delhi Capitals management for giving me this wonderful opportunity.”
“We would like to welcome Ajay Ratra to the Delhi Capitals family,” said CEO Vinod Bisht, on the latest development. “His experience, as player and coach will be invaluable, as we look to take the franchise from strength to strength. We are excited to have him on board, and wish him all the very best for the upcoming season.”
The 39-year-old Ratra recently coached the Assam state team in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Tournament and the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He has coached the Punjab state team in the past too, and has worked as a Fielding & Wicketkeeping Coach with the Indian women’s team during camps. This will be his first brush with an IPL franchise.
Ratra, who played First Class cricket for Goa from 2007 to 2011, made history in 2002 when he became the youngest wicket-keeper (aged 20) to score a Test hundred, and the second Indian wicket-keeper to score a century overseas.
The ex-Haryana and Tripura player, who is currently employed by ONGC as Manager (Corporate Communications), played 6 Tests and 12 ODIs for India. Ratra joins the Delhi Capitals coaching staff of Ricky Ponting, Mohammad Kaif, Pravin Amre and James Hopes.
