Published on November 30th, 2023
Why Rahul Dravid was retained as head coach by BCCI: Here are 5 takeaways:
- Dravid’s Contract Extension
- Duration of Extension Unclear
- Proud Culture and Team Resilience
- Upcoming Assignments
- Support Staff Contracts Extended
Rahul Dravid has officially agreed to continue as the head coach of the India men’s cricket team, following the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) extension offer.
The BCCI confirmed the contract renewal on Wednesday (November 29), stating that after productive discussions, both parties unanimously decided to extend Dravid’s tenure.
Credit: BCCI
Initially appointed as India’s head coach in November 2021 for a two-year term, Dravid’s previous contract concluded after the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, where India reached the final but lost to Australia in Ahmedabad.
Although the exact duration of Dravid’s new stint has not been disclosed, it is anticipated that he will lead the team at least until the Men’s T20 World Cup scheduled for June 2024 in the Caribbean and the USA.
Reflecting on his coaching experience, Dravid expressed pride in the team’s accomplishments and emphasized the strong camaraderie within the group.
He highlighted the resilient culture established in the dressing room and credited the team’s success to the emphasis on the right processes and preparations.
The 50-year-old coach and his team are not currently involved in the ongoing T20 series against Australia.
Their first assignment in this extended tenure is the upcoming multi-format tour of South Africa, commencing on December 10.
The team is expected to depart on December 6, with travel arrangements for the existing backroom staff already prepared by the board.
BCCI President Roger Binny applauded Dravid’s vision, professionalism, and dedication, describing them as crucial elements in Team India’s success.
Binny acknowledged the challenges faced by the head coach and expressed confidence that, under Dravid’s leadership, the team would continue its pursuit of success and establish new benchmarks.
In addition to Dravid, the contracts of the support staff have also been extended. Vikram Rathour (batting coach), Paras Mhambrey (bowling coach), and T Dilip (fielding coach) will continue their roles alongside Dravid in shaping the future of Indian cricket.
