In a move that may signify a significant transition within the Indian cricket team’s management, Rahul Dravid, the current head coach, has signaled a lack of interest in persisting with his coaching duties for the team. Dravid, a cricketing stalwart and the mastermind behind India’s stint at the ODI World Cup 2023, has refrained from accompanying the team for the ongoing T20I series against Australia. At the culmination of his contract following the World Cup event in 2023, Dravid maintained a noncommittal stance when it came to discussing his future in the role of India’s head coach.
Amid emerging speculations, a report from the Times of India has shed light on Dravid’s inclination to disengage from the full-time coaching role. A source from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) divulged to the publication that Dravid has communicated his reluctance to the board, seeking release from the demands of a full-time coaching position. “Dravid has conveyed to the BCCI that he is not eager to continue as a full-time coach. His journey spanning nearly two decades saw him traveling with the Indian team as a player, and now, in recent years, he has navigated similar challenges as a coach, all of which he is not willing to endure again,” the source revealed.
The source further detailed that Dravid is comfortable with re-assuming his previous capacity as the head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA), a position that would allow him to remain in his home city of Bengaluru. “He is amenable to sporadically coaching the team, however, he is not prepared to once again take on the responsibilities as the full-time coach,” they added.
Compounding the changes in the coaching department, VVS Laxman, another former Indian cricketer, is set to step into the shoes of the head coach. Laxman has not only indicated enthusiasm about embracing the role but is also likely to sign an extended tenure as the coach of Team India. “Laxman has conveyed his eagerness for the job. Amidst the World Cup, he made a trip to Ahmedabad to converse with the top officials of the BCCI about this very matter. It is anticipated that he will ink a long-term agreement as Team India’s coach, and it’s expected that he will accompany the team to South Africa, marking his first tour as the full-time head coach,” the source stated.
As India takes part in a five-match T20I series against Australia, Laxman, in the company of Suryakumar Yadav as the captain, is overseeing the team’s strategy and performance. The national squad is slated for five T20Is beginning November 23, subsequently followed by a three-match series against South Africa starting December 10.
This development has sparked conversations across the cricketing community, as fans and analysts alike await official confirmation on the coaching handover. The potential pivot from Dravid to Laxman delineates a new chapter for Indian cricket, with aspirations riding high for continued success and innovation under new mentorship. Meanwhile, the Men in Blue are engrossed in their immediate challenge, striving for victory on the field, even as the backdrop of their coaching saga continues to unfold off the pitch.