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New Delhi: On Wednesday, Former cricketer Rahul Dravid will continue as India’s head coach as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the extension of contracts for the coaching staff of Team India (senior men). This has come after speculations that Dravid would announce his departure from his role as the Team India head coach that was coming to an end following India’s loss to Australia in the ICC Men’s World Cup 2023 team.
The BCCI has also extended the contracts of the other members of the support staff, including batting coach Vikram Rathour, bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, and fielding coach T Dilip. After his contract expired, the board engaged in discussions with Dravid to further his tenure, BCCI said. The board appreciated Dravid’s role in moulding the team and commended his “exceptional professionalism”.The BCCI did not specify the length of the contract but Dravid is expected to continue at least until the T20 World Cup 2024.
BCCI also lauded VVS Laxman for his role as the head of National Cricket Academy and the stand-in coach. The BCCI said in a statement,“Similar to their legendary on-field partnerships, Mr. Dravid and Mr. Laxman have worked closely in driving Indian Cricket forward.” Dravid was appointed head coach in November 2021 for a two-year contract that ended earlier this month with the conclusion of the 2023 ODI World Cup.
Dravid, under whose coaching India finished runners-up in both the World Test Championship (WTC) and the ODI World Cup, has had a good record in the past two years.
The BCCI engaged in productive discussions with Rahul Dravid after the term of his contract ended following the recently concluded ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 and unanimously agreed to further the tenure. Dravid said that the last two years have been thoroughly memorable. He said that the team and he have witnessed highs and lows, and the camaraderie within the group has been phenomenal. “I am genuinely proud of the culture we have set in the dressing room. It’s a culture that stands resilient, whether in moments of triumph or adversity. The skills and talent that our team possesses are phenomenal, and what we’ve stressed is following the right process and sticking to our preparations, which has had a direct impact on the overall result,” said Dravid,
Dravid’s first assignment as India’s head coach is a tour of South Africa, which begins on December 10 with three T20Is and three ODIs, followed by two Tests in Centurion (from December 26) and Cape Town (from January 3). After that, India will host a five-Test series against England before the T20 World Cup in June. BCCI President Roger Binny said that Dravid was always under “immense scrutiny” but thrived in such a challenging atmosphere. “The performances of the Indian Team are a testament to his strategic guidance. I am delighted that he accepted the offer to remain the Head Coach, and it speaks of the mutual respect and shared vision between him and the BCCI. I have no doubt that under him, the team will continue its march to the pinnacle of success and set new benchmarks along the way,” said Roger Binny.
Dravid had said after India’s World Cup final defeat that he was delighted that India was ranked first in all three forms, but that the lack of a worldwide trophy was a “disappointment.” When asked several times if he planned to stay in the role, Dravid claimed he hadn’t given it much thought because he was too busy preparing for the World Cup.
“Mr. Rahul Dravid’s vision, professionalism, and unyielding efforts have been important pillars in Team India’s success. As Head Coach of the Indian Cricket Team, you are always under immense scrutiny and I extend appreciation to him not only for embracing the challenges but for thriving in them. The performances of the Indian Team are a testament to his strategic guidance. I am delighted that he accepted the offer to remain the Head Coach, and it speaks of the mutual respect and shared vision between him and the BCCI. I have no doubt that under him, the team will continue its march to the pinnacle of success and set new benchmarks along the way,” Mr. Roger Binny, President, of BCCI, said.
On his extension, Rahul Dravid said: “The last two years with Team India have been thoroughly memorable. Together, we have witnessed the highs and lows, and throughout this journey, the support and camaraderie within the group have been phenomenal. Jay Shah, BCCI Honorary Secretary said that he had mentioned that there is no better person than Dravid to take on the role of the Head Coach. Dravid has proven himself again with his “unparalleled commitment to excellence”.
Jay Shah said that Team India’s top ranks across all formats reflects Dravid’s roadmap he had charted for the team. “I am genuinely proud of the culture we have set in the dressing room. It’s a culture that stands resilient, whether in moments of triumph or adversity. The skills and talent that our team possesses are phenomenal, and what we’ve stressed is following the right process and sticking to our preparations, which has had a direct impact on the overall result.”
