Former Indian cricketer Ajay Ratra retires

Ratra during India’s tour of England in 2002

Mumbai, July 2 (IANS) Former India batsman and wicketkeeper Ajay Ratra on Thursday announced his retirements from all forms of the game. He made his International debut for India in 2002 against touring England team at Kolkata.

Ratra represented India in six Tests and 12 ODIs, and was a consistent performer at the domestic level. He was a member of the Indian team that won the Under-19 World Cup in 2000. One more former Indian player, Hrishikesh Kanitkar had announced his retirement a day back.

"On behalf of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), I congratulate both Ajay and Hrishikesh for memorable careers, and wish them all the best for the future," BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya said in a statement.

Ratra will be remembered for his unbeaten 115 against the West Indies in Antigua in 2001-02 that made him the youngest wicketkeeper-batsman to score a Test hundred.

Kanitkar will be remembered for his contributions for India, at crucial stages in several limited-overs matches and tournaments in the late 1990s. It was under his captaincy that Rajasthan first won the Ranji Trophy, in 2010-11. He led the team to another Ranji triumph in the next season.

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