New Delhi: Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah recently revealed why Rahul Dravid didn’t want to re-apply for the India head coach after his tenure ended post the conclusion of the T20 World Cup 2024. Dravid had the option to seek an extension when BCCI invited applications for the head coach post in May this year. However, Dravid didn’t want to re-apply.
Dravid had confirmed during the T20 World Cup 2024 that the tournament would be his final assignment as the head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team. The India legend signed off on a high after guiding his team to a memorable triumph in the competition. India defeated South Africa in a thrilling final to win their second T20 World Cup trophy.
Shah revealed Dravid didn’t want to reapply for the post due to his family commitments and that the BCCI didn’t want to force him to continue.
“He told me that due to family commitments he wants to quit and we respect his decision. I didn’t forced him to extend,” Shah told the reporters in Barbados.
The BCCI secretary also lauded Dravid’s contributions towards Indian cricket both as a payer and a coach. Dravid enjoyed an illustrious career as a player before serving as the head coach of the India A and the U-19 teams. He also served as the head of the NCA for three years before taking over as the head coach of the Indian team in 2021.
“Rahul bhai has served Indian cricket for the past five and half years. He was director of the National Cricket Academy for three years and then for the past two and half years, he served as head coach of Team India,” said Shah.
Dravid guided India to the second successive World Test Championship (WTC) final last year where India lost against Australia. India also made it to the final of the ODI World Cup last year while remaining unbeaten throughout their campaign before suffering a heartbreaking defeat against Australia to miss out on the trophy.
Revealing the reason behind giving an extension to Dravid as the head coach after India’s final defeat in the 2023 ODI World Cup, Shah said he was as important to the team as captain Rohit Sharma.
“Rahul Dravid’s role is as important as Rohit Sharma in this T20 World Cup title triumph. He is a man, who took the team to the 2023 ODI World Cup final and didn’t wanted to leave because he wanted to finish the job,” said the BCCI secretary.
Who will be the new head coach of Team India?
Shah also confirmed that BCCI’s Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) has shortlisted two candidates to replace Dravid as the next head coach of the Indian cricket team. Former India batter Gautam Gambhir and former Indian women’s team head coach WV Raman have been interviewed for the top post. However, Gambhir is expected to pip Raman for the top job.
Shah said VVS Laxman will be India’s coach in the absence of Dravid for the team’s upcoming tour of Zimbabwe and that the new coach will take over from the Sri Lanka tour later this month.
BCCI secretary Jay Shah revealed the reason why Rahul Dravid didn’t re-apply for the post of the India head coach as his tenure came to an end after the conclusion of the T20 World Cup 2024. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
