MUMBAI: Rahul Dravid has reportedly agreed to coach the national side ending months of speculations on who will take charge of the Indian cricket team after the tenure of the current coaching staff, including head coach Ravi Shastri, comes to an end after the T20 World Cup.
The Times of India and newswire ANI, quoting sources close to the developments, separately confirmed that the NCA head is ready to take over as the national team coach.
“Dravid has agreed and it cannot get better. The other positions will now be looked into while Vikram stays as the batting coach. The Indian team is in a state of transition with youngsters coming in and they have all worked with Dravid and it will be all the more easier for Indian cricket to continue on its path to become world beaters on the pitch,” a BCCI source told ANI.
“Dravid has confirmed he will be the next head coach of the Indian team. He will be stepping down as head coach of NCA soon,” a top BCCI official told TOI after the IPL 2021 final.
However, ESPNcricinfo reports that even though Dravid has been persuaded to take up the job there remains the matter of inviting formal applications and Dravid applying. If he does, BCCI is unlikely to look beyond him. Dravid had recently coached a second-string Indian team to a tour of Sri Lanka even as the national senior team was playing concurrently in England.
The TOI report further adds, citing the unnamed official, that Dravid will draw a salary of Rs 100 million and will be given a two-year contract.
While Vikram Rathour is likely to continue as the batting coach, former Mumbai pacer Paras Mhambrey will take over from Bharat Arun as the bowling coach. Mhambrey has been Dravid’s deputy at the NCA and has worked extensively with India A and Under-19 bowlers. A decision is yet to be taken on the positon for the fielding coach.
Earlier, as per reports, the BCCI wanted to appoint an experienced former India player as chief coach even as many foreigners have shown interest in taking up the job. It had earlier wanted Anil Kumble, who was forced to quit over differences with skipper Virat Kohli, to take over the role but the legendary cricketer had recused himself. He is currently the head coach of the IPL franchise Punjab Kings.
Current coach Ravi Shastri’s contract ends with the T20 World Cup that gets underway on Sunday. The BCCI is hosting the tournament in Oman and UAE. India will open its T20 World Cup campaign against Pakistan on October 24 in Dubai. After the upcoming T20 World Cup, Virat Kohli will also be stepping down as the side’s captain in the shortest format.
