After a historic slump, Rahul Dravid bids adieu as India’s coach; VVS Laxman emerges as the front-runner for the position.
From November 2021 to November 2023, Rahul Dravid led Team India as head coach, succeeding Ravi Shastri. Significant progress was made during his tenure, as India became the top-ranked team in all three cricket formats for the first time ever under his leadership. The group also advanced to the 2023 World Test Championship and ODI World Cup finals. India lost to Australia in the finals both times, despite these victories.
In addition, India made it to the 2022 T20 World Cup semifinals and won the 2023 Asia Cup under Dravid’s leadership. Following India’s defeat by Australia in the ODI World Cup final on November 19, 2023, his two-year contract came to an end.
Following the expiration of his coaching contract, Dravid announced his intention to step down as head coach permanently. The former captain of India, Rahul Dravid, informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of this decision. After almost 20 years of significant travel with the Indian team in both coaching and playing capacities, Dravid is now considering a new position.
Following Dravid’s decision, VVS Laxman, a Test specialist and former teammate, is allegedly being considered by the BCCI to be the next head coach.
In Dravid’s absence, Laxman has led India to multiple victories in the past. According to The Times of India, Laxman may sign a long-term deal and has shown a strong interest in the role. Commencing on November 23, 2023, the Twenty20 International series against Australia is being led by the former cricket player.
Sources claim that Rahul Dravid is looking into possibilities for his next ventures. There are hints that he might join an IPL side, even though he might not stay on as a full-time coach. It’s said that negotiations are in progress for a big two-year deal with a franchise.
Dravid is also open to coaching the Indian squad on occasion, but he is most excited about his upcoming position at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. He might continue to support player development in his hometown by taking up this possible job.
There is doubt about the future of the support staff, whose contracts also ended with the World Cup, after Dravid’s resignation as head coach.
The fielding coach was T. Dilip, the bowling coach was Paras Mhambrey, and the batting coach was Vikram Rathour. It is still to be decided if they would stay in their current positions. If Laxman is named head coach, he may be able to bring in his own staff of assistants.
An announcement on the new head coach is anticipated to be made prior to India’s all-format series in South Africa the following month. To guarantee a seamless transition and readiness for the impending challenges, the BCCI is probably going to evaluate the circumstances and appoint the coaching staff.
