Rahul Dravid applies for Team India head coach post: Report

Ravi Shastri's tenure as Team India head coach ends after the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup. While BCCI has invited applications for the same, Rahul Dravid has reportedly applied for the role.

The Indian cricket team needs a new head coach, as Ravi Shastri's tenure comes to an end after the ICC T20 World Cup 2021, while he has refused an extension. Consequently, applications for the role have been invited by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Meanwhile, Rahul Dravid has reportedly applied for the position.

According to a BCCI official telling PTI, Dravid has formally applied for the role on Tuesday since it was the last day for the same. Along with him, his team at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, Paras Mhambrey (bowling coach) and Abhay Sharma (fielding coach), have also applied for respective roles.

The official added that Dravid's application is a mere formality, as he is a solid favourite to take up the role once Shastri steps down. BCCI president Sourav Ganguly had reportedly already held talks with Dravid, as the latter had given his nod for the position. Dravid is likely to take the job, starting the home series against New Zealand next month.

It would not be Rahul's first stint in the same boots, as he had coached the side earlier this year during the limited-overs tour of Sri Lanka, while the senior team headed by Shastri was in England at the time. Meanwhile, as per ANI, VVS Laxman seems to be in the reckoning to take up the job at the NCA.

If sources are trustworthy, Laxman might choose to head the NCA, which could mean him stepping down from the role of the team mentor for the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH), and his broadcasting commitments. However, Laxman might be reluctant to take up the role, considering that he resides in Hyderabad and would find it challenging to relocate to Bengaluru.

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While Laxman would need to stay in Bengaluru for at least 200 days per year, the BCCI would also have to pay him well, considering that he would need to shift his base. If Laxman opts out of the NCA role, Anil Kumble would be the next viable candidate, while being a local lad would help him too.