The cricketing fraternity has been left in a state of anticipation with Rahul Dravid, the head coach of the Indian team, maintaining a stoic silence regarding his future with the team. Amidst this backdrop of uncertainty, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has been proactively preparing for the upcoming tour of South Africa by processing travel documents for Dravid and all members of his support staff.
However, the board’s preparations do not guarantee that Dravid will continue in his role, as they have also completed visa arrangements for former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman’s coaching staff. As the situation remains opaque, the BCCI is proceeding with caution and is ready for all possible outcomes.
There is an imminent departure for the Indian Twenty20 team, which is set to leave for South Africa on December 6 to play three T20 Internationals on December 10, 12, and 14. With team selection looming within the next two days, it is crucial for the BCCI to determine which coaching staff will be accompanying the team.
While no official announcement has been made regarding Rahul or Laxman’s role for the South Africa tour, speculation suggests that the current coaching setup might oversee the Twenty20 series. This move would enable a semblance of continuity and buy the BCCI additional time to finalize its decision on Dravid’s position.
Once the T20I series concludes, India is scheduled to engage in three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and two Test matches ending in Cape Town on January 7. Concurrently, an India A team is also slated for a tour to South Africa, necessitating the supervision of a second set of coaching staff.
As Indian cricket grapples with these transitions, it is also gearing up to host the England Lions, who will visit India for three matches prior to the England main team’s tour scheduled for the five-Test series in February and March. The England Lions’ arrival is slated for January, with exact dates and venues for the three matches yet to be finalized, although Mumbai could be a potential host.
Adding to the bustling cricket calendar, Mumbai will be welcoming the England A women’s team, with three one-day matches slated at the Wankhede Stadium on November 29, December 1, and 3. Following this, India women will face England women in three Twenty20 Internationals on December 6, 9, and 19 at the same venue, succeeded by a women’s Test match at the DY Patil Stadium from December 14 to 17.
The Wankhede Stadium is also scheduled to hold a Test match between India women and Australia women from December 21 to 24, with three subsequent ODIs on December 28, 30, and January 2. Moreover, the DY Patil Stadium will be hosting three women’s T20 Internationals between India and Australia on December 5, 7, and 9.
In an endeavor to support and popularize women’s cricket, Amol Kale, the president of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), and the Apex Council have adopted a resolution to encourage public attendance by offering free entry to these matches. Ajinkya Naik, MCA Secretary, highlighted this initiative as a stride towards empowerment and a chance to unlock a new door into the realm of women’s T20 cricket.
As the BCCI maneuvers through these complex preparations, the Indian cricket community remains on the edge, watching for any definitive cues that will unravel the enigma surrounding the coaching future for one of cricket’s most illustrious national teams.