Former captain Rahul Dravid set to be next India coach: report

Published October 16, 2021
A file photo of former India captain Rahul Dravid. — Twitter
A file photo of former India captain Rahul Dravid. — Twitter

Former Indian cricket captain Rahul Dravid is set to take over as the senior team's head coach after the T20 World Cup, local media reports said on Saturday.

The Times of India newspaper quoted an anonymous official at the Board of Control for Cricket in India as saying that the 48-year-old former batting stalwart would be given a two-year contract.

According to the report, Dravid's former teammate Paras Mhambrey will join as the team's bowling coach.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan tweeted on Saturday that “the rest of the world better beware” if reports of Dravid's appointment were true.

Known as “Mr Dependable” or “The Wall” among Indian cricket fans, Dravid played 164 tests and 344 one-day internationals from 1996 to 2012.

Currently the director of the National Cricket Academy in the southern city of Bangalore, he is credited with mentoring many of the young cricketers in the current national team.

Dravid will take charge ahead of the New Zealand series after the T20 World Cup, the Times of India reported.

Current coach Ravi Shastri last month signalled his intention to step down after the tournament, which starts on Sunday and runs until November 14.

The former all-rounder has been head coach since 2017 after spending three years as the team's director.

“I believe one thing ... never overstay your welcome,” Shastri said last month.

Opinion

Editorial

Hasty transition
Updated 05 May, 2024

Hasty transition

Ostensibly, the aim is to exert greater control over social media and to gain more power to crack down on activists, dissidents and journalists.
One small step…
05 May, 2024

One small step…

THERE is some good news for the nation from the heavens above. On Friday, Pakistan managed to dispatch a lunar...
Not out of the woods
05 May, 2024

Not out of the woods

PAKISTAN’S economic vitals might be showing some signs of improvement, but the country is not yet out of danger....
Rigging claims
Updated 04 May, 2024

Rigging claims

The PTI’s allegations are not new; most elections in Pakistan have been controversial, and it is almost a given that results will be challenged by the losing side.
Gaza’s wasteland
04 May, 2024

Gaza’s wasteland

SINCE the start of hostilities on Oct 7, Israel has put in ceaseless efforts to depopulate Gaza, and make the Strip...
Housing scams
04 May, 2024

Housing scams

THE story of illegal housing schemes in Punjab is the story of greed, corruption and plunder. Major players in these...