Was Rahul Dravid forced into taking up India job by BCCI?
Amid rising speculations and claims that Rahul Dravid is line to become India’s next full-time head coach, a report has emerged which suggests that the former India skipper hasn’t quite willfully agreed to do the job.
A report in the Times of India has claimed that Dravid is being indirectly forced into committing to the head coach’s position as the BCCI top brass told him that the remuneration made to him for being the head of the NCA right now is “not feasible”.
In their report, TOI said that Dravid was in Dubai as a guest for the IPL 2021 final, at the sidelines of which he had a long discussion with BCCI president Sourav Ganguly, secretary Jay Shah and treasurer Arun Dhumal, who informed him that he can’t continue holding his current post with the same salary.
“The Board told him, he can’t continue at the NCA at the same salary,” TOI quoted sources close to the developments as saying. “It’s not feasible. And moreover, the BCCI has not been able to find a coach of a similar stature. If he wants to continue working with Indian cricket, then taking the Team India job is going to be his only option.”
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The assertiveness of the latest communication, TOI report claimed, made Rahul Dravid agree to take over Shastri’s post after the T20 World Cup, even though, as always, he was hesitant to commit to the same. Dravid has time and again declined to show interest in becoming India’s next head coach.
But in the latest developments, there seems to be an agreement reached between him and the board for a likely two-year term starting November 2021 and lasting till the end of the 2023 ODI World Cup at home. However, the legend hasn’t given an official “yes” to the board.
BCCI forcing Rahul Dravid to be India’s next head coach?
“Rahul was the only ideal candidate. The challenge was making him agree to it. Truth be told, there’s no other choice,” added sources in the TOI report, as it emerges that the BCCI had initially asked Ricky Ponting to come on board but the Australian great refused their offer.
The Indian board also had to look past Anil Kumble and VVS Laxman because of the former’s past history with India captain Virat Kohli and the latter’s lack of coaching experience.
Even before setting up a new Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) that will finalise the next full-time backroom staff, BCCI has went ahead and offered Dravid the head coach’s post. According to the sources in the TOI report, Dravid actually has no option but to take up the job if he is to continue his association with Indian cricket.
“After the head coach is appointed, he will sit with the CAC and work on the new support staff. I can tell you, Rahul has been left with no choice. He will have to say yes unless he doesn’t mind not working with Indian cricket anymore.”
An official reply from Dravid’s end, this report stated, is expected by the end of this week. Following which, BCCI will come out with an advert for coaches and will appoint the members of the CAC.
This is contrary to the past structure where the CAC officially decided who the head coach will be after taking interviews of the applicants. But in the current scenario, with no other strong candidate in the fray, the board has looked to first try and make Dravid agree to the Shastri takeover and then do the rest of the process.