Retired unhurt: ‘Satisfied’ Ratra holds no grudges
Ajay Ratra, who? The question could be valid. In a sport dominated by humongous numbers – 200 Tests, 100 centuries, 15k runs — recalling someone with six Tests and 12 ODIs is tough.
But if those six Tests saw a player score an unbeaten century against a four-man pace battery of West Indies in Antigua, he deserves recognition. But the sad part was the player’s international career lasted just six months. Ratra deserves respect too.
After announcing retirement yesterday, Ratra recalled his moment of glory for Mirror. “Indiawere under pressure. I had not got any runs in the first two Tests and thus had to get some in this one to keep my place. We were comfortably placed on Day One but suddenly we lost three quick wickets. When I walked out, VVS Laxman was on 15. West Indies pacers were breathing fire.
Ratra did not get much for India after that. If he was frustrated, it would have been understandable. But Ratra has no complaints. He is happy to have been part of and led Haryana, Goa, Tripura and Himachal Pradesh. “At that time I was disappointed but you have two options --get frustrated or work hard. I took the second option. I was injured before the second Test in England and Parthiv Patel came in. Though I came back for the last Test, it wasn’t a great outing. One can say that I should have got another chance but I don’t have any grudges. I kept working hard and performing at domestic level but the recall never came. As I end my career, I am satisfied,” he signed off.
But if those six Tests saw a player score an unbeaten century against a four-man pace battery of West Indies in Antigua, he deserves recognition. But the sad part was the player’s international career lasted just six months. Ratra deserves respect too.
After announcing retirement yesterday, Ratra recalled his moment of glory for Mirror. “Indiawere under pressure. I had not got any runs in the first two Tests and thus had to get some in this one to keep my place. We were comfortably placed on Day One but suddenly we lost three quick wickets. When I walked out, VVS Laxman was on 15. West Indies pacers were breathing fire.
“As expected, I was nervous to start with but once I had played a few balls, I grew in confidence. (Ratra’s first two scoring shots were boundaries). Having Laxman at the other end helped. I remember I was hit on my finger and hurt my nail when on 92. There was a blood clot and physio Andrew Leipus had to do the repair job,“ said Ratra, only second Indian wicketkeeper to score a ton (115 not out) outside the subcontinent.
Ratra did not get much for India after that. If he was frustrated, it would have been understandable. But Ratra has no complaints. He is happy to have been part of and led Haryana, Goa, Tripura and Himachal Pradesh. “At that time I was disappointed but you have two options --get frustrated or work hard. I took the second option. I was injured before the second Test in England and Parthiv Patel came in. Though I came back for the last Test, it wasn’t a great outing. One can say that I should have got another chance but I don’t have any grudges. I kept working hard and performing at domestic level but the recall never came. As I end my career, I am satisfied,” he signed off.
