Ajay Ratra appointed head coach of Assam

The state association has also decided to not invite any ‘professional players’ for the season

Ajay Ratra has previously coached Assam's U-19 side.

Former India wicketkeeper-batsman, Ajay Ratra, has been appointed the head coach of Assam senior team for the forthcoming domestic season.

Assam Cricket Association (ACA) secretary, Debojit Saikia, confirmed to  Sportstar  that Ratra was chosen after rounds of interview. “We had more than 50 applicants for the position and we decided to go for Ratra as he fits the bill,” Saikia said.

A couple of years ago, Ratra was the U-19 coach of Assam and the side fared well in the domestic tournaments. “His past records have been good, so we decided to hand over a bigger responsibility to him,” Saikia said.

The state association has also decided to not invite any ‘professional players’ for the season. “We will stick to our local players and the selection trials are on to pick the probables for the season,” Saikia said.

A first-division team from Bangladesh will also be visiting the state to play five practice games with the Assam senior team from August 22-30.

Inter-state tourney

The ACA has also sought permission from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to conduct an inter-state cricket tournament for all the northeastern states. “We want to organise a tournament in the lines of Buchi Babu Trophy. It will be a pre-season tournament, where all the teams from northeast and also Bengal will be invited. We are waiting to hear from the BCCI,” Saikia said.

The association plans to host the tournament in the first week of September.