The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has begun its hunt for a new head coach for the Indian men's cricket team. With Rahul Dravid's contract set to expire after the conclusion of the T20 World Cup 2024, the board has sent out advertisements for new applications, though Dravid also remains eligible to apply. However, it has been reported that the former India batter isn't keen to continue the role beyond the upcoming T20 World Cup, having already made up his mind.
As per a report in Sportstar, Dravid is not going to reapply for the role, having decided long ago that he doesn't want to extend his stay as the team's head coach beyond the current stint. In fact, the report claims that some seniors in the team requested Dravid to continue as the coach of India's Test team for another year, but he turned down the offer, having already made up his mind that the extension he signed after the ODI World Cup 2023, will be his last.
Had Dravid agreed to stay as India's Test coach, the BCCI might have decided to hire format-specailist coaches. But, that is no longer the case.
Though the hunt for the new coach has just begun, VVS Laxman's name has been speculated a lot. The former India batter has led the team as head coach in Dravid's absence on a handful of occasions before. But, it has also been reported that he isn't among the top candidates for the permanent head coach's job.
Some overseas names are being mulled upon by the BCCI, as per reports. Earlier, the board's secretary Jay Shah had confirmed that overseas options will also be considered for the head coach's role.
"We cannot determine whether the new coach will be Indian or foreign. It will be up to the CAC, and we are a global body," Jay Shah had said.
Early indications suggest that the likes of Stephen Fleming and Ricky Ponting, currently coaching Indian Premier League franchises Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals respectively, are top on the wishlist. Justin Langer, the coach of Lucknow Super Giants, is another overseas coach who himself flirted with the idea of coaching the Indian team.