Rahul Dravid highly unlikely to replace Ravi Shastri as India’s head coach

Former Indian cricketer Rahul Dravid has reapplied for the post of chair of National Cricket Academy (NCA) Bangalore losing away the indications of him being unlikely to take up the lead role for the senior Indian cricket team. If the reports are to be believed, Rahul Dravid is highly unlikely to sideline Ravi Shastri as India’s head coach after the T20 World Cup 2021.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had to invite fresh applications for the head of NCA as Dravid’s existing contract expired. According to the new rule, extensions in the role are not possible. Every two years, there will be new applications for the post.

“Yes, Rahul has reapplied for the post of Head of Cricket. You don’t need to be a genius to guess that he is going to continue after the tremendous work he has put in to change the face of NCA, which is now truly a centre of excellence,” a senior BCCI source privy to the development told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

The source also stated that no name has been received by the board close to the stature of Rahul Dravid.

“In fact, as of now, save Rahul, there are no other prominent names of stature who have applied for the post.”

ALSO READ: Australia’s Squad For The ICC T20 World Cup 2021, Complete Team

Although Dravid has shown his refrainment from leading India directly, the NCA head chose to work indirectly to supply future stars through a robust selection system at National Cricket Academy Bangalore.

Despite having no ICC glory under Ravi Shastri, India has done tremendously well in being the best team in the world. India has crushed Australia in their own backyard two times under Shastri and the team is going strong to beat England in England in ongoing India vs England test series.

India has become a formidable outfit under Ravi Shastri and the values of never giving up have been inducted into the players to rise up from different situations. India showed a glimmer of these values in the last Australia tour as well as the recent Lords test match against India.

It is noteworthy that Ravi Shastri’s current contract will expire after the completion of the T20 World Cup 2021. He received an extension of two years after the completion of the 2019 ODI World Cup in England.

For any other individual who aspires to become India’s head coach, it is really an onerous task to replace Shastri from the position unless he himself steps down or there is someone like Rahul Dravid standing in the line after doing a remarkable job at the U19 level and as NCA director.

ALSO READ: ENGvsIND: England’s Squad For Third Test Match In Headingley Against India Revealed