India’s Men’s Cricket Team to Get a New Head Coach as Rahul Dravid Steps Down
India’s men’s cricket team is on the brink of a coaching change as current head coach Rahul Dravid has conveyed to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) his decision to resign from the position post the T20 World Cup conclusion in June. Dravid reportedly informed the BCCI leadership of his intentions before the commencement of the IPL season.
BCCI Opens Applications for Head Coach Role
The BCCI has officially commenced the search for a new head coach by inviting applications for the position, with the deadline set for May 27. BCCI secretary Jay Shah emphasized that should Dravid desire an extension, he would need to reapply for the role.
Dravid, who took over as India’s head coach in 2021, led the team to the runner-up position in the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup. Despite requests from several senior players to continue coaching the Test team for at least a year, Dravid politely declined.
Potential Candidates for the Coaching Job
Reports suggest that VVS Laxman, the head coach at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), is also not inclined to assume the head coach position. Laxman, aged 49, has overseen the development of the next generation of Indian cricketers through the board’s pathways system, including India A and India U19 teams.
Laxman also filled in as the coach of the senior team during Dravid’s absence. Under his guidance, the Indian team participated in various events such as the Asian Games, bilateral T20 series against Australia, and tours to England, New Zealand, and Ireland.
Amidst the speculation, the BCCI is reportedly eyeing Stephen Fleming, the successful coach of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), as a potential successor to Dravid. The Indian Express reported the BCCI’s interest citing Fleming’s exemplary management skills and achievements. However, CSK’s CEO denied any ongoing discussions with Fleming regarding the coaching role.
“I have not heard anything like this. There’s been no communication from Stephen Fleming to CSK either,” stated CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan in response to the rumors.
Conclusion
The impending departure of Rahul Dravid as India’s head coach has set the stage for a new era in the leadership of the men’s cricket team. With the search for his replacement underway and speculation surrounding potential candidates like VVS Laxman and Stephen Fleming, the BCCI faces a crucial decision in appointing the next head coach to guide the team towards future success.
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