IPL 2021: Delhi Capitals appoint Ajay Ratra as assistant coach

Delhi Capitals have appointed former Indian wicket-keeper batsman Ajay Ratra as their assistant coach for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League 2021. Ratra, who played six Test matches and 12 ODIs for India, will join the likes of head coach Ricky Ponting, fielding coach Mohammed Kaif, Pravin Amre, and James Hope in the coaching staff department.

Delhi Capitals will commence their IPL 2021 campaign against three-time champions Chennai Super Kings on the 10th of April at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

Ajay Ratra said in a statement, “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.”

Delhi Capitals CEO Vinod Bisht welcomed Ratra into the franchise family.

“We would like to welcome Ajay Ratra to the Delhi Capitals family. His experience as a 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 Delhi Capitals CEO said. 

Meanwhile, the gloveman from Faridabad recently coached Assam in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Ratra has also coached Punjab in the domestic circuit.

Moreover, Ratra has worked as a Fielding & Wicketkeeping Coach with the Indian Women’s Team during various training camps. In fact, this will be the first time that Ratra will coach in the Indian Premier League.

Ratra made his Test debut against the West Indies back in 2002. The right-hander also holds the record of scoring a Test century as the youngest wicket-keeper batsman in the Test format.

On the other hand, Delhi Capitals had qualified for the finals of IPL 2020 for the first time in their IPL history. However, the Capitals have suffered a huge blow as their captain Shreyas Iyer has been ruled out due to a shoulder injury. Thus, it will be interesting to note who will take over the captaincy reins for the Capitals in IPL 2021.