Rahul Dravid to take charge of team India for New Zealand Series after T20 World Cup.
Former Indian cricketer Rahul Dravid is likely to take charge of team India’s coaching duties for the New Zealand home series after the T20 World Cup 2021. The Kiwis will travel to India for three T20Is and two test match series right after the end of the T20 World Cup 2021, scheduled in UAE and Oman.
It is noteworthy that the current head coach of the Indian team, Ravi Shastri, will resign after the T20 World Cup 2021 as his term will be finished and he hasn’t sought any extension. The BCCI has understood that the search for a perfect coach for the high profile team will take some time and till then there is a need for an interim experienced coach.
Dravid, who coached the second-string Indian team for the Sri Lanka tour earlier this year, is likely to head the role until BCCI elects the new coaching staff for the Men in Blue. He will remain in charge and will continue to give his services to the team until the selection of a suitable candidate.
The BCCI has already approached Rahul Dravid to take up the full-time role of team India’s coaching duties, however, the 48-years old has constantly resisted the offer from the richest cricket board as he doesn’t want to travel much and don’t want to keep his family away from him.
Rahul Dravid is the head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) Bangalore and wants to continue providing his services in nurturing the Indian young talent from the grass-root level. He also coached India’s U-19 Men’s team before heading NCA.
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BCCI wants an Indian experienced coach for team India:
A few overseas coaches have shown their interest in coaching team India, but BCCI wants an Indian in the first place to take up the position. As per the reports, the Indian board has communicated a few Indian prominent names for the coaching duties and is yet to get a positive response.
Ravi Shastri along with bowling coach Bharat Arun and fielding coach R Sridhar will quit right after the T20 World Cup. Trainer Nick Webb has also confirmed that he will also bid adieu to his role post the showpiece event.
The BCCI is yet to post an official advertisement for the duties. It is learnt that the board wants the potential candidates to respond before putting out an official advertisement for the roles and responsibilities.
“We wanted the candidate whom we feel is best suited for the job to agree first (to apply for the job),” a BCCI official explained their rationale to delay the advertisement. “We don’t want a situation where we get applications but no one is seen as ideal. It will be embarrassing for the board and for the candidates too. So it’s better to find a suitable candidate first, till then Dravid can be interim coach,” a BCCI official said.
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