The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on November 29 (Wednesday) announced the extension of contracts for Team India head coach Rahul Dravid and the entire support staff. In a release, the senior office-bearers of the Indian cricket board lauded the professionalism of Dravid and also extended their heartfelt gratitude towards National Cricket Academy (NCA) chief VVS Laxman for his contribution.
“The last two years with Team India have been thoroughly memorable. Together, we have witnessed the highs and lows, and throughout this journey, the support and camaraderie within the group have been phenomenal. I am genuinely proud of the culture we have set in the dressing room. It's a culture that stands resilient, whether in moments of triumph or adversity. The skills and talent that our team possesses are phenomenal, and what we've stressed is following the right process and sticking to our preparations, which has had a direct impact on the overall result,” Dravid was quoted as saying in the release.
“I thank the BCCI and the Office Bearers for placing their trust in me, endorsing my vision, and providing support during this period. The demands of this role necessitate considerable time away from home, and I deeply appreciate my family's sacrifices and support. Their instrumental role behind the scenes has been invaluable. As we embrace new challenges post the World Cup, we remain committed to the pursuit of excellence," he added.
Dravid's initial two-year tenure as the head coach of the Indian cricket team, which began in November 2021, concluded following the 2023 ODI World Cup. During his term, Dravid guided India to runner-up positions in both the World Test Championship (WTC) and the ODI World Cup, marking a successful period for the team.
Post-World Cup, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) held constructive talks with Dravid and decided to extend his contract. This decision reflects the board's confidence in Dravid's coaching abilities, considering the team's performance under his guidance over the past two years.
Dravid's next challenge as head coach will be the upcoming tour of South Africa, starting December 10. This tour includes three T20Is and three ODIs, followed by two Test matches in Centurion and Cape Town. Following the South Africa series, India is scheduled to host England for a five-Test series, which will serve as a crucial preparatory phase before the T20 World Cup in June.
Despite the team's top rankings in all three formats, Dravid expressed his disappointment over India's inability to clinch a global trophy after the World Cup final loss. When queried about his future as the head coach, Dravid, who was focused on World Cup preparations, had previously stated that he hadn't pondered much about continuing in the role.
This extension of Dravid's contract as the head coach signifies the BCCI's trust in his strategic vision and leadership, as Indian cricket continues to navigate through competitive international fixtures.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
Glenn Maxwell’s unbeaten 104 leads Australia to 5-wicket win in last-ball thriller as Ruturaj Gaikwad’s 123 goes in vain
World Cup trophy, greatest knock in ODI history, a T20I century and fastest WC hundred: Glenn Maxwell's dream two months in India
