Irrespective of whether India win the World Cup 2023 or not, head coach Rahul Dravid may take a step back. He is unlikely to renew his contract post the mega event. As per close sources, Dravid is unsettled by a lot of travelling with the India Cricket Team and a lack of time with his family. It was a contentious issue that BCCI secretary Jay Shah and then President Sourav Ganguly talked him out of when he took charge from Ravi Shastri in 2021.
“It has been a rocky journey for him. Rahul likes a settled life and that is why he did not want to take up the job initially. He has had to manage his family as well as travel with the team on back-to-back long tours. He will take a call on his future even if India win the World Cup,” a BCCI source told InsideSport.
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However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) denies it. An official said that the BCCI will hold talks with Rahul Dravid before or after World Cup on his renewal. But for now, the focus is on winning the World Cup 2023.
“There have been no discussions with Rahul on extension or renewal. We are all focused on World Cup at the moment. But yes, we will have a discussion with Rahul before the WC and prepare a contingency around it. So far, we have received no indication that he doesn’t want to continue,” a senior BCCI official told InsideSport.
Since taking over from Ravi Shastri post-T20 WC 2021 exit, Rahul Dravid has had a mixed record. While under him, India has asserted dominance at home, losing just one series to Australia. However, India have lost to South Africa in both the Test and ODI series away, to Bangladesh in the ODI series away as well as Asia Cup, T20 World Cup and WTC Final.
With India eying a Test reboot with a transition of senior players, BCCI may very well look for fresh ideas and perhaps abroad. There have been rumours that Andy Flower is one that India are looking at. But at this stage, BCCI has neither contacted the former Lucknow Super Giants coach nor has held any talks with anyone else.
If Rahul Dravid and BCCI part ways, VVS Laxman can be a good option. He has been the director of the National Cricket Academy and has already been earmarked as a successor. But for now, again, there have been no discussions on a permanent coaching role. Laxman has coached while Dravid has been on breaks.
Rahul Dravid coaching record: How have India fared under The Wall?
| Opponent | Venue | Format | Result | Captain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | Home | Test | 1-0 Win | Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane |
| New Zealand | Home | T20I | 3-0 Win | Rohit Sharma |
| South Africa | Away | Test | 2-1 Loss | Virat Kohli, KL Rahul |
| South Africa | Away | ODI | 3-0 Loss | KL Rahul |
| West Indies | Home | T20I | 3-0 Win | Rohit Sharma |
| West Indies | Home | ODI | 3-0 Win | Rohit Sharma |
| Sri Lanka | Home | Test | 2-0 win | Rohit Sharma |
| Sri Lanka | Home | T20I | 3-0 win | Rohit Sharma |
| South Africa | Home | T20I | 2-2 Draw | Rishabh Pant |
| England | Away | One-off test | 1-0 Loss | Jasprit Bumrah |
| England | Away | T20I | 2-1 win | Rohit Sharma |
| England | Away | ODI | 2-1 win | Rohit Sharma |
| West Indies | Away | T20I | 4-1 win | Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya |
| Asia Cup 2022 | UAE | T20I | Super 4 exit | Rohit Sharma |
| Australia | Home | T20I | 2-1 win | Rohit Sharma |
| South Africa | Home | T20I | 2-1 win | Rohit Sharma |
| T20 World Cup 2022 | Australia | T20I | Semifinal Exit | Rohit Sharma |
| Bangladesh | Away | ODI | 1-2 Loss | Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul |
| Bangladesh | Away | Test | 2-0 win | KL Rahul |
| Sri Lanka | Home | T20 | 2-1 win | Hardik Pandya |
| Sri Lanka | Home | ODI | 3-0 win | Rohit Sharma |
| New Zealand | Home | ODI | 3-0 win | Rohit Sharma |
| New Zealand | Home | T20I | 2-1 win | Hardik Pandya |
| Australia | Home | Test | 2-1 win | Rohit Sharma |
| Australia | Home | ODI | 1-2 Loss | Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma |
| WTC Final 2023 | England | Test | Lost to Australia | Rohit Sharma |
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