Batting legend and former captain Rahul Dravid has been officially appointed as the new head coach of the Indian cricket team. The BCCI announced this on Wednesday. Dravid will take over the new role and begin his tenure as India’s full-time coach. He will do so from the home T20I series against New Zealand starting November 17. “The Cricket Advisory Committee comprising Ms. Sulakshana Naik and Mr. RP Singh on Wednesday unanimously appointed Mr. Rahul Dravid as the Head Coach of Team India (Senior Men). The former India captain will take charge from the upcoming home series against New Zealand,” a release of the BCCI read.
Dravid will replace the current coach Ravi Shastri. With this, his stint will come to an end after the T20 World Cup. The stage is all up for Dravid to usher Indian cricket into a new era. Dravid has already worked with most of the youngsters in the India A and Under-19 circuit. So, he is no stranger to the younger crop of players.
Earlier this year in July, one set of players were in England for the Test series. The BCCI then appointed Dravid as India’s interim coach for India’s limited-overs series in Sri Lanka. The team won the ODI series 2-1 but lost the T20Is by the same margin. After the completion of the series, the press asked Dravid was if he was keen on taking up a full-time role as coach. To this, the former India batsman did not show much eagerness. “I have enjoyed this experience. You know, look, I have not really thought anything far ahead,” he said on being asked this.
“It is an absolute honor that BCCI appointed me as the new Head Coach of the Indian Cricket Team and I am really looking forward to this role. Under Mr. Shastri, the team has done very well, and I hope to work with the team to take this forward. Having worked closely with most of the boys either at NCA, U19, and India A setup, I know they have the passion and desire to improve every day. There are some marquee multi-team events in the next two years, and I look forward to working with the players and the support staff to achieve our potential,” Dravid further said.
“It is an absolute honor to be appointed as the new Head Coach of the Indian Cricket Team and I am really looking forward to this role. Under Mr. Shastri, the team has done very well, and I hope to work with the team to take this forward. Having worked closely with most of the boys either at NCA, U19, and India A setup, I know they have the passion and desire to improve every day. There are some marquee multi-team events in the next two years, and I look forward to working with the players and the support staff to achieve our potential,” Dravid further said. The BCCI chief, his former India teammate, and captain, Sourav Ganguly welcomed Dravid’s appointment.
“The BCCI welcomes Rahul Dravid as the Head Coach of India’s senior men team. Rahul has had an illustrious playing career and is one of the greats of the game. He has also served Indian cricket as Head of National Cricket Academy (NCA) with distinction. Rahul’s effort at the NCA has nurtured several young cricketing talents who have gone on to represent the country on the international stage. I am hopeful that his new stint will take Indian cricket to new heights,” Ganguly said. Dravid reached the peak of his coaching career in 2018. At that time under him, India, led by Prithvi Shaw lifted the Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand. The following year, Dravid was appointed as the NCA chief, where he served successfully and with dedication. He also helped Indian cricket groom young and promising talents.
