With the conclusion of the Cricket World Cup, Rahul Dravid’s contract too comes to an end. Will the BCCI ask Dravid to extend his stint, depending on India’s World Cup result. After the World Cup, VVS Laxman will serve as the head coach for the IND vs AUS T20 series as Dravid will enjoy a much-needed break.
It will be interesting to see if 51-year-old Dravid wants to continue as head coach of the national team, which involves extensive traveling and constant pressure. There is a possibility that Dravid, who has previously coached IPL teams like Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals, might return to the T20 league fold which has 10 teams.
Should Dravid reject the opportunity to coach Team India, then the BCCI will go on to invite applications from the other candidates. But as far as Dravid is concerned, the World Cup could be the last stint for him with the Men in Blue.
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“It has been a rocky journey for him. Rahul likes a settled life and that is why he did not want to take up the job initially. He has had to manage his family as well as travel with the team on back-to-back long tours. He will take a call on his future even if India win the World Cup,” a BCCI source told InsideSport.
“There have been no discussions with Rahul on extension or renewal. We are all focused on World Cup at the moment. But yes, we will have a discussion with Rahul before the WC and prepare a contingency around it. So far, we have received no indication that he doesn’t want to continue,” a senior BCCI official told InsideSport.
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Rahul Dravid’s record with Team India
Since taking on the helm from Ravi Shastri, Dravid has had a mixed outcome with the Indian Cricket Team. While the team has been very dominant in the bilateral series both home and away, the lack of trophies in major tournaments continues to be a big thorn for Rahul Dravid and his boys.
In 2022, India lost the Asia Cup and saw a semi-final exit in the T20 World Cup. In 2023, India was handed a humiliating defeat by Australia in the WTC Finals but the Men in Blue roared back in form to clinch the Asia Cup 2023 and has shown tremendous display in the ongoing World Cup.
