NEW DELHI: Former Indian cricket captain Rahul Dravid is set to take over as the senior team’s head coach after the Twenty20 World Cup, local media reports said on Saturday.

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

According to the report, Dravid’s former team-mate Paras Mhambrey will join as the team’s bowling coach, succeeding Bharat Arun. Vikram Rathour will continue as the batting coach, the reports said.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan tweeted 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 director of the National Cricket Academy in 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 head coach Ravi Shastri — , who took up the job in mid-2017 — last month signalled his intention to step down after the tournament, which starts on Sunday and runs until Nov 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.

A home series against New Zealand beginning in late November will be the first assignment for the new coaching staff.

Published in Dawn, October 17th, 2021