Hrishikesh Kanitkar and Ajay Ratra, cricketers of distinct style, achievements and fields, chose the same day to call curtains on their first-class careers, but looked ahead with a common goal. They would love to maintain their association with the game by becoming coaches. In fact, they have made a beginning this season by lending their services as National Cricket Academy (NCA) coaches, Kanitkar in East Zone and Ratra in South.
“No motivation left. I was not able to train properly and did not want to be someone who needs to be hid on the field. It was the right time to quit,” declared 40-year-old Kanitkar, who figured in two Tests and 34 ODIs after a first-class debut in 1994-95.
He earned the India cap within four years and went on to play 146 first-class matches, hit 33 centuries and 46 fifties while aggregating 10,400 runs.After shifting from Maharashtra to Rajasthan, Kanitkar lived his dream of winning the Ranji Trophy in 2011 and defending it in 2012.
“Playing for India was high up there but holding the Ranji Trophy was special too. We beat Baroda in Baroda and Tamil Nadu in Chennai. I enjoyed my multi-dimensional role, leading the side, mentoring the youngsters,” said Kanitkar, a stylish left-hander, who had his career-best of 290 against Bihar at Jamadoba in 2002 with Mahendra Singh Dhoni keeping wickets for the opposition.For Ratra, lack of motivation was an issue but a knee injury was the compelling factor.
“I was not able to give my best and did not want to be a burden. I enjoyed playing for Haryana (Goa, Himachal Pradesh and Tripura too) and feel grateful to my state association. I got the right break through (Ranbir Singh Mahendra) at the right time. I would stay involved with the game by coaching,” said Ratra, 33, who sadly failed to acknowledge the support of former off-spinner Sarkar Talwar, his caring coach at Faridabad.
Best moments Among Kanitkar’s best moments was the boundary in near-darkness at Dhaka off Saqlain Mushtaq as India beat Pakistan chasing 315 with three wickets and a ball to spare. It was only Kanitkar’s third ODI.
“I have many fond memories. I was lucky to have achieved what I wanted. Cricket has changed from my time. Players have less fear of failure now. But they have become impatient. They have more options and opportunity than we had but they need to become good Test cricketers to be known ass complete players,” said Kanitkar, who recently lost his father, Hemant, also a former Test cricketer.
Ratra’s best came in his third Test when he added 217 runs for the seventh wicket with VVS Laxman (130) against West Indies at Antigua in 2002.
Ratra played three more Tests before losing his place to Parthiv Patel.
After a first-class career of 99 matches, 4029 runs, eight centuries, 17 fifties, 233 catches and 27 stumpings, Ratra has decided to look ahead as a coach. Incidentally, his last Test and ODI came at The Oval in 2002. His best in first-class (204 not out) came against Rajasthan at Jaipur in 2010 when representing Goa.
