Rahul Dravid reportedly set to be appointed as India cricket team coach until 2023

In a massive development in Indian cricket, Rahul Dravid is reportedly set to be appointed as the head coach. In a report by the Times of India, a top BCCI official stated that Sourav Ganguly and Jay Shah had a meeting with Rahul Dravid. Apparently, it was Ganguly who persuaded Dravid to be the coach of the Indian cricket team until the 2023 World Cup. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the IPL 2021 final between Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders. With his appointment, Dravid will soon step down as the head of the NCA.

This comes as a big development. Dravid had earlier not wanted to take up the job of BCCI head coach. He was happy in building the grassroots system in domestic cricket in India. As coach of the Under-19 and A squads, Dravid has built a supreme talent pool that has given India great bench strength. He was at the helm when India won the Under-19 World Cup in 2018. Recently, he was coach of the India side when they toured Sri Lanka for three ODIs and three T20Is. India won both the series under Dravid’s coaching.

Rahul Dravid all set to transform Indian cricket team

In the past, Dravid has not wanted to take up the India head coach offer. This was due to family commitments and also because of the work at the domestic level and NCA. The BCCI is only waiting for an official confirmation from Dravid.

But, in the process, the BCCI might want to circumvent the CAC (Cricket Advisory Committee). That body alone is tasked with the decision to appoint the next Indian cricket team coach. According to various media reports, the number of candidates is low. The BCCI has been left with no choice but to get Dravid to agree to the role of head coach.

Dravid will apparently draw a salary of Rs 10 crore for the two-year period. The TOI report further stated that Paras Mhambarey will be the new bowling coach, replacing Bharat Arun. Mhambarey and Dravid have enjoyed a magnificent partnership in the Under-19 set-up and they will be wanting to ensure they carry it forward with the Indian cricket team.

Wil Dravid officially say yes?

With the lack of candidates, the BCCI is hoping that Dravid will finally get into the coaching system for Team India. Ravi Shastri’s tenure ends after the ICC World T20 2021 in November. Dravid will reportedly take over as the head coach when India takes on New Zealand at home.

There is no update on the status of R Sridhar, the fielding coach. It is believed that Vikram Rathour will serve as the batting coach. Interestingly, Dravid, Rathour, and Mhambarey all played in the Test series in England in 1996 as players. The move by the BCCI to get Dravid as the head coach of the Indian cricket team could change the dynamics of the side. With India in build-up mode to the 2022 ICC World T20 in Australia and the 2023 ICC World Cup at home, all eyes will be on BCCI. Billions of Indian cricket fans will be praying that Dravid will be on board as the head coach of the side.