The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Rahul Dravid recently had a detailed discussion about his future role as the head coach of the Indian cricket team. The BCCI is inclined towards appointing a new coach, considering the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2024. VVS Laxman, the current NCA Director, is being considered as the potential candidate for the position. Dravid’s two-year contract as the head coach ended with India’s heart-breaking loss to Australia in the World Cup final.
Since then, there has been ongoing speculation about Dravid’s future as the back-room helmsman of the Indian team. A BCCI official, who wished to remain anonymous, stated, “Rahul and the BCCI had a talk about where things stand now. We will respect the decision taken by him. The general feeling is that with the T20 World Cup about 7-8 months away, there is time for a new coach to come in and build a team and set a process. He (Dravid) is quite aware of that.”
However, the official also mentioned that a decision will be made after carefully considering all aspects. “We are also talking about whether continuity (current coach/captain combination) is needed for the (T20) WC. We are hoping to reach a decision soon so that the path forward is clear,” the official added.
Despite not winning any global trophies, the BCCI is reportedly satisfied with the way Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma have managed the team over the past two years. Dravid and Sharma led India to the semifinals of the T20 World Cup 2022 and the finals of the World Test Championship 2023 and the 50-over World Cup.
The official hinted that key stakeholders, including Rohit Sharma, chief selector Ajit Agarkar, and other BCCI office-bearers, will soon come together to make a final decision. VVS Laxman, the current NCA chief, is being considered as Dravid’s successor, and the official stated that the board is keeping its options open. “He (Laxman) is familiar with the team, players, and the methods. He also has experience working with the national team,” explained the official.
Currently, Laxman is serving as the head coach for the Indian team in the ongoing five-match T20I series against Australia. He has previously stepped in for Dravid whenever the latter took a break.
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