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Ajay Ratra, who became the first specialist Indian stumper to score a Test hundred abroad, said he spent a sleepless night on Saturday thinking about the seven runs needed to score his century. “I was unbeaten on 93 and I was restless to get those seven runs,” said the 20-year-old Ratra. “I just thought I have to stay at the wicket and not to play shots early.”
Ratra moved to 99 in no time on the third day yesterday morning but then saw his partner in a record 217-run association for the seventh wicket, V V S Laxman, get out hit wicket off the bowling of Mervyn Dillon. “I wasn’t worried. I just didn’t want to play a bad shot. When I got the opportunity to hit the ball, I got my hundred,” said Ratra, looking back at his unbeaten 115.
Before completing his hundred, he was hit painfully on his right hand fingers by a delivery from Cameron Cuffy which rose from a length. “It was a painful blow and the nail in the middle finger of my right hand hurt a great deal. But I was committed, not only because I had to get those seven runs but also I needed to keep wickets as well.
“I also knew my responsibility as there is nobody else in the team who can keep wickets,” said Ratra. The rookie keeper said he was worried after he failed with the bat in the last two Tests. “I didn’t score much in the previous two Tests. So I worked hard with my coach. My captain also gave me confidence. It all was so helpful,” Ratra said.
“I felt really confident after I crossed my 50. I was playing my shots and playing my natural game. “I like batting in Caribbean because of the challenge fast bowlers pose to batsmen. As a youngster it was a challenge and I like a challenge.”
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