Rahul Dravid will continue as India’s head coach after accepting the BCCI’s offer to extend his term. While the BCCI did not specify the duration of the extension, it will be at least until the 2024 T20 World Cup in June.
The former India captain reportedly had multiple offers from different Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises on the table but he decided to continue his stint as the head coach of the men’s national team. His first assignment after the contract renewal will be the tour of South Africa.
Indian men’s cricket team head coach Rahul Dravid and support staff were given contract extensions by BCCI. Dravid’s 2-year contract concluded after the end of Cricket World Cup 2023, where India reached the final but suffered a defeat to Australia in the title clash.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Wednesday has announced the contract extension of head caoch Rahul Dravid and the support staffs like bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, batting coach Vikram Rathour and fielding coach T Dilip.
“The BCCI engaged in productive discussions with Mr. 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,” BCCI said in a statement.
The Board acknowledges Mr. Dravid’s instrumental role in moulding the Indian Team and commends his exceptional professionalism. The Board also appreciates Mr. VVS Laxman for his exemplary roles as Head of NCA and as the stand-in Head Coach. Similar to their legendary on-field partnerships, Mr. Dravid and Mr. Laxman have worked closely in driving Indian Cricket forward.”
Dravid became the head coach in November 2021 for a two-year term that ended at the conclusion of the 2023 ODI World Cup earlier this month. While India has risen to the top of the Test, ODI and T20I rankings under Dravid as coach, they were unable to win any ICC trophies – finishing as semi-finalists in the 2022 T20 World Cup, and runners-up in the 2023 World Test Championship and the 2023 ODI World Cup. India’s run in the ODI World Cup was particularly impressive: they won all nine league games and the semi-final, before losing the final to Australia.
Mr. Jay Shah, Honorary Secretary, BCCI, said on the occasion: “I had mentioned that there is no better person than Rahul Dravid to take over the role of Head Coach at the time of his appointment, and Mr. Dravid has proven himself again with his unparalleled commitment to excellence. Team India is now a formidable unit across formats, and our top ranking in all three formats directly reflects his vision, guidance, and the roadmap he charted for the team. Having won 10 consecutive games before the final, our World Cup campaign was nothing short of extraordinary, and the Head Coach deserves appreciation for setting up the right platform for the team to flourish. The Head Coach has our full backing, and we will provide him with all the support needed for sustained success at the international level.”
Rahul Dravid’s Tenure as Coach
Dravid also opened up on his extension, saying: “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. 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.
“I thank the BCCI and the Office Bearers for placing their trust in me, endorsing my vision, and providing support during this period. The demands of this role necessitate considerable time away from home, and I deeply appreciate my family’s sacrifices and support. Their instrumental role behind the scenes has been invaluable. As we embrace new challenges post the World Cup, we remain committed to the pursuit of excellence.”
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