Rahul Dravid, the esteemed former cricketer, has been presented with the opportunity to extend his tenure as India’s head coach across all three formats. However, sources reveal that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) initially sought another former player, Ashish Nehra, to take on the role of coaching the Indian T20 team. Despite the initial offer, Nehra declined the proposal, leading the BCCI to circle back to Dravid with an extension offer, which he eventually accepted.
The unfolding scenario marked a period of uncertainty for Team India as they navigated the post-World Cup landscape. With Dravid’s initial term concluding after the Cricket World Cup 2023, the BCCI had to swiftly address the coaching situation. As VVS Laxman joined the Indian squad for the T20I series against Australia, the board worked behind the scenes to secure an optimal coaching solution.
Sources from NDTV disclosed that Ashish Nehra, currently making waves with his coaching role at the IPL franchise Gujarat Titans, was initially approached for the T20 coaching position. Despite his impressive stint that saw Gujarat Titans emerge as champions in 2022, Nehra turned down the national team coaching role. The rejection paved the way for the BCCI to approach Rahul Dravid, urging him to continue as the coach across all three formats.
Dravid’s decision to extend his stay, along with his entire coaching staff, comes as a crucial development for Indian cricket. The BCCI’s preference for continuity in the team’s structure and environment played a pivotal role in choosing to stick with Dravid. Disrupting the existing setup could have posed challenges for the team, necessitating a seamless transition to maintain the positive momentum.
While Nehra showcased his coaching prowess with Gujarat Titans, the prospect of leading the Indian team in the near term did not align with his current aspirations. Dravid’s extension, with an open-ended tenure, signifies the board’s commitment to his leadership and the vision he has instilled over the past two years.
Dravid’s renewed stint as head coach will kick off with the upcoming tour of South Africa, commencing on December 10. The tour includes three ODIs and T20Is each, followed by two Tests starting from December 26. Subsequent engagements include a five-match Test series against England at home, leading up to the ICC T20 World Cup in June, set to be hosted in the West Indies and the USA.
The former India captain took over the coaching reins from Ravi Shastri after India’s early exit in the ICC T20 World Cup in 2021. Initially appointed for a two-year term, Dravid guided the team to a runners-up finish in the recently concluded ICC Cricket World Cup at home. This achievement marks the joint-best finish under Dravid’s coaching tenure, matching the team’s performance in the ICC World Test Championship, where they lost to Australia in June.
Before their commendable World Cup journey, India faced a setback in the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia, bowing out in the semifinals with a ten-wicket loss to England. Dravid’s coaching acumen, combined with his understanding of the game, has been instrumental in shaping the team’s trajectory, providing a strong foundation for future endeavors.
As Indian cricket embarks on a new chapter under Dravid’s continued guidance, the focus will be on maintaining the team’s competitive edge, fostering talent, and pursuing glory in upcoming international assignments, including the prestigious ICC T20 World Cup in 2024.
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