The BCCI has extended Rahul Dravid’s contract as head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team, whose tenure ended with the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. It was assumed that India would have a new coach after the World Cup as the BCCI was keen on a new approach, but the cricket board extended the contract of India’s former captain.
One of the main reasons why BCCI moved from a new approach to re-signing Dravid is continuity. The board hopes that Dravid’s regime will be maintained as he has provided a calm and level-headed approach in the dressing room where the team management supports the players and clarifies their roles within the team.
TOI reports that BCCI has asked team management to make long-term plans for the 2024 T20 World Cup to be held in the West Indies and the United States and what it entails. He is said to have asked for complete concentration. It is brought forward and momentarily fades into the background.
“Dravid and his handlers have now been asked to focus on the T20 World Cup. The priority is to win this tournament, which will be played in America and the Caribbean. Long term. Plans can wait. Things will continue from there. From now on, services will be provided on a pro-rata basis until a formal decision is made.”
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Wednesday confirmed that Rahul Dravid will continue as the head coach of the Indian team until at least the 2024 T20 World Cup. The two sides have agreed to work until his T20 World Cup in June 2024 before finalizing plans for his next ODI World Cup.
BCCI’s post-World Cup plans revolved around Rahul Dravid’s desire to continue as head coach. In the event that he steps down, the board has considered Laxman, who is currently the principal of the National Cricket Academy (NCA), as a possible successor. However, Laxman was unsure whether he should take up the role.
Ravi Shastri and his support team’s tenure ended at the end of 2021 and Dravid was appointed as the new head coach. Although his tenure started well, India suffered a crushing loss to England in the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-finals and a heartbreaking defeat against Australia in the final.
Nevertheless, Indian captain Rohit Sharma and senior selector Ajit Agarkar supported Dravid’s stay as head coach until the T20 World Cup due to his calm and collected demeanor. Ashish Nehra, who led Gujarat Titans to the IPL title in the first year, was the head coach of the team. They had a great performance in his IPL 2023 as well but lost to Chennai Super Kings.
