Reports: Rahul Dravid declines BCCI’s request to apply for India’s head coach position
Rahul Dravid has always been a fan-favorite to take over coaching duties of the Indian senior men’s team, has found tremendous success at the Youth level. His work in bringing up new talents and nourishing them for the IPL and international level have been tremendous and is one of the favorites to replace Ravi Shastri, who will step down after the 2021 T20 World Cup.
But according to prominent Times of India journalist K Shriniwas Rao, who broke the story of Virat Kohli leaving captaincy in one format, Dravid declined the offer to coach the senior men’s team. According to Mr. Rao, the former Indian cricketer is keen on continuing with the junior team and also with the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore.
“BCCI spoke with batting legend Rahul Dravid and asked if he would be interested in coaching Team India. Rahul has politely refused. He would like to concentrate on junior cricket and the National Cricket Academy (NCA) that’s based out Bangalore,” he tweeted.
BCCI spoke with batting legend Rahul Dravid and asked if he would be interested in coaching Team India. Rahul has politely refused. He would like to concentrate on junior cricket and the National Cricket Academy (NCA) that's based out Bangalore.
— KSR (@KShriniwasRao) October 12, 2021
Rahul Dravid, who retired from international cricket in 2012 as one of the select few men to have scored over 10,000 runs in both Tests and ODIs, worked with the Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals as a mentor in the Indian Premier League. Despite not having any trophies to show for, Dravid’s tenure helped these franchises unearth some brilliant young talents.
Rahul Dravid not the only Indian legend in consideration for the job
Alongside Ravi Shastri, bowling coach Bharat Arun and fielding coach R Sridhar will be moving aside from their positions. According to Times of India, the BCCI has also carried out conversations with Anil Kumble and VVS Laxman. Anil Kumble had a fallout with the Indian skipper back in 2017, and did not have a memorable stint with Punjab Kings as the head coach.
VVS Laxman found success as a mentor for the Sunrisers Hyderabad, leading the franchise to five playoff finishes in a row, including a title in 2016. Another man involved with the Sunrisers Hyderabad, Tom Moody is keen on taking up the job for a while now, and was a potential candidate in the last two occasions BCCI were looking for head coaches.