BCCI official: Yes, Dravid has agreed to coach Team India

Rahul Dravid. Pic/Suresh Karkera

India's batting stalwart and former captain Rahul Dravid is all set to take over as the national cricket team's head coach following the T20 World Cup in the UAE, having agreed to the BCCI's offer after initial reluctance.

Dravid, 48, one of the greatest ever to have played for India, has been in charge of the national ‘A' and U-19 set-up for the past six years and a lot of players such as Rishabh Pant, Avesh Khan, Prithvi Shaw, Hanuma Vihari and Shubman Gill have come through the system prepared by him.

He currently heads the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore and was in Dubai during the just-concluded IPL to meet his former teammate and BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and Board secretary Jay Shah for an elaborate discussion.

Also Read: Dravid likely to be interim coach of Team India for home series vs NZ: Reports

"Yes, Rahul has agreed to coach the Indian team till the 2023 World Cup. Initially, he was reluctant, but it is understood that president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah had a meeting with Rahul on the sidelines of the IPL final where they were able to convince him," a BCCI official said. "It won't be an interim role," he added.

Dravid's trusted lieutenant Paras Mhambrey is expected to be the bowling coach, while Vikram Rathour is likely to continue as batting coach.

However, it is understood that the BCCI will nonetheless give an advertisement for the position to ensure that due process is followed. The Board has to form a Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), which would be mandated to complete the process as prescribed by the Lodha reforms.

Also Read: Team India will have a new head coach and it's Rahul Dravid!

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliabilitsy and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the contents in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever