Ajay Ratra calls time on 16-year career

Ajay Ratra, the former India wicketkeeper, has decided to call time on his 16-year playing career. Ratra last played a first-class game in 2013 for Tripura.

Ratra, who made his international debut in 2002, played six Tests and 12 ODIs for India. His maiden Test century against West Indies in Trinidad - an unbeaten 115 - made him the fifth-youngest Indian player and the youngest wicketkeeper to score a Test hundred. He played 99 first-class matches, scoring 4029 runs at an average of 30.29, which included eight hundreds and a double-century. He also played in 89 List A games, scoring 1381 runs at 22.63.

Ratra is the second Indian player to retire in the space of two days, following Hrishikesh Kanitkar's retirement on Wednesday.

"Both Hrishikesh and Ajay were hardworking cricketers and thorough professionals," Anurag Thakur, BCCI secretary, said. "I have no doubt that they will display the same qualities in their chosen vocations."

Ratra was part of the Indian U-19 team that won the Youth World Cup in early 2000, and the following season, he captained them to victory against England.

"On behalf of the BCCI, I congratulate both Hrishikesh and Ajay for memorable careers, and wish them all the best for the future," Jagmohan Dalmiya, president of the board, said.