Rahul Dravid Likely to Step Down as Indian Cricket Team Head Coach: Potential Candidates to Lead Team India Post World Cup 2023

Rahul Dravid, the current head coach of the Indian cricket team, is likely to step down from his position after the World Cup 2023, regardless of whether India emerges as the tournament winners. Although formal discussions have yet to take place, sources close to Dravid suggest that he is looking to take a step back due to the extensive travel commitments with the team, which have taken a toll on his personal life and time with his family. This issue was a point of contention when Dravid assumed the role from Ravi Shastri in 2021, with BCCI secretary Jay Shah and former President Sourav Ganguly persuading him to accept the position.

“It has been a challenging journey for him. Rahul prefers a more settled lifestyle, which is why he initially hesitated to take up the job. Balancing family responsibilities with back-to-back long tours has been demanding for him. Even if India were to win the World Cup, he will carefully consider his future,” revealed a source from BCCI to IndieSport.

Since assuming the position of head coach after India’s exit from the T20 World Cup in 2021, Rahul Dravid has had a mixed record. Under his guidance, the Indian team has exhibited dominance at home, losing only one series to Australia. However, they faced defeats against South Africa in both the Test and ODI series on away tours, as well as losses to Bangladesh in the ODI series, Asia Cup, T20 World Cup, and WTC Final.

2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣1️⃣ – Team members

2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣3️⃣ – Head Coach & Batter

12 years on Rahul Dravid & Virat Kohli reminisce some special Dominica memories 😊#TeamIndia | #WIvIND | @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/HRkBLS2Lam

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 12, 2023

As India looks to revamp its Test team and transition senior players, the BCCI may seek fresh ideas, potentially even from abroad. Speculation has arisen about Andy Flower being one of the candidates under consideration, although the BCCI has not yet approached the former Lucknow Super Giants coach or initiated discussions with any other individuals.

If Rahul Dravid and the BCCI do part ways, VVS Laxman could be a suitable option as his successor. Laxman has already served as the director of the National Cricket Academy and has been earmarked for a potential coaching role. However, it should be noted that no formal discussions have taken place regarding a permanent coaching position. VVS Laxman continued to be the coach of Indian Team whenever Dravid was unavailable at times. He led the team against Ireland in June 2022, the initial T20I against England and the brief trip to Zimbabwe.

Furthermore, the report also stated that the possibility of split coaching for the Indian team is currently not being considered. A BCCI official questioned whether such an arrangement had ever been implemented in Indian cricket before.

Laxman also served as the head coach for the Indian team during the 2022 edition of the T20 Asia Cup in the UAE when Dravid was recovering from Covid-19. Additionally, he led the team’s white-ball tour to New Zealand immediately after the T20 World Cup concluded in November 2022.

Read More: Amol Muzumdar Confirmed as India Women’s Coach, Announcement Soon

India’s Coaching Staff to Take a Well-Deserved Rest After West Indies Tour: VVS Laxman to Step In as Interim Head Coach for Ireland Series

According to reports, India’s head coach Rahul Dravid, along with batting coach Vikram Rathour, bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, and fielding coach T Dilip, will be given a break following India’s tour of West Indies and the USA. Currently leading 1-0 in the two-match test series against West Indies, India will proceed to play three ODIs, followed by five T20Is and the second test starting on July 20th in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago.

The coaching staff, comprising Rahul Dravid, Vikram Rathour, Paras Mhambrey, and T Dilip, have been accompanying the Indian team since the ICC World Test Championship final against Australia in England. After a two-month break during the IPL 2023, they will once again be granted rest during India’s tour of Ireland, as reported by Cricbuzz. This break is intended to allow them to prepare for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023, which begins on August 31st, followed by the highly anticipated ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, hosted in India. Following the completion of India’s final two T20Is against West Indies, Dravid and his coaching staff will return home from the US.

During India’s three-match T20I series in Ireland, VVS Laxman, the head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA), is expected to travel with the team as the interim head coach. This arrangement is reminiscent of last year when Laxman also filled in as India’s interim head coach during the two-match T20I series in Ireland while Dravid and his team were on rest.

Joining Laxman on this trip, four more NCA staff members will accompany the team. Sitanshu Kotak and Hrishikesh Kantikar will serve as batting coaches, while Troy Cooley and Sairaj Bahutule will take on the role of bowling coaches.

Team India’s Performance under Rahul Dravid:

Also Read: BCCI Faces Sponsorship Challenges as Base Price Reduced: A Closer Look

Five Former Indian Cricketers Who Could Take the Reins from Rahul Dravid as Head Coach After World Cup 2023

As Rahul Dravid’s tenure as the head coach of the Indian cricket team nears its end after the World Cup 2023, speculation is rife about his potential successors. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is likely to lean towards former Indian players to fill this crucial role. Here are five ex-cricketers who could step into Dravid’s shoes:

1. Ashish Nehra: Having proven his mettle in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as a coach, Nehra brings a winning pedigree. His success with the Gujarat Titans, including leading them to the title and two consecutive finals, speaks volumes about his coaching acumen. Nehra’s excellent man-management skills, coupled with his close rapport with players like Hardik Pandya, make him a strong contender.

2. Zaheer Khan: Currently holding a prominent position as the global head of cricket development with the Mumbai Indians, Khan may have a comfortable job, but his experience shouldn’t be overlooked. His contributions to the Mumbai Indians’ triumphs in the IPL over the years cannot be understated. Known for his calm and composed demeanor, Khan enjoys a healthy relationship with senior players such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Hardik Pandya, making him an appealing choice.

3. Virender Sehwag: A fearless and aggressive batsman during his playing days, Sehwag transformed the approach to Test match batting. In the ever-evolving landscape of world cricket, Sehwag’s aggressive mindset could be just what Indian cricket needs to match the playing style of other teams. Even if his coaching responsibilities were limited to the T20 format, Sehwag’s impact could be significant.

4. Chandrakant Pandit: For those closely following Indian domestic cricket, the name Chandrakant Pandit holds immense significance. Pandit has enjoyed remarkable success as a coach, steering teams like Mumbai, Vidarbha, and Madhya Pradesh to Ranji Trophy titles in recent years. Regarded as a brilliant tactician and a coach respected by all, Pandit’s unique coaching methods have garnered attention. His recent appointment as the coach of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL 2023 further strengthens his credentials.

5. Bharat Arun: Having already served as India’s bowling coach until November 2021, Arun has a proven track record. Under his guidance, bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Mohammed Siraj reached new heights. Arun’s sharp cricketing acumen and strategic approach make him an ideal candidate for the head coach position.

As the World Cup 2023 concludes, the BCCI will carefully consider these candidates and others as they strive to make the best choice for the future of Indian cricket.