After Dravid’s contract expired after the 2023 World Cup, the BCCI spoke with him and decided to extend it by unanimous vote.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) declared on Wednesday that Rahul Dravid and his team members’ contracts had been extended, dispelling any lingering questions over the head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team and their support staff.
The board has chosen to extend the contracts of India’s coaching staff, which included head coach Dravid, batting coach Vikram Rathour, bowling coach Paras Mhmabrey, and fielding coach T Dilip. The ODI World Cup completed recently. The main explanation for this is said to be the strong showing that India, under their leadership, had at the World Cup.
They lost to Australia in the tournament final, thus they did not win the championship, but they did win ten of the eleven games they played in a way that had never been witnessed by any Indian team before.
Due to the frequent travel and dedication required by his work, Dravid was reportedly reluctant to accept an extension; however, it seems that after being contacted by board officials, the former captain of India changed his mind.
Following the conclusion of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, “the BCCI engaged in productive discussions with Dravid and unanimously agreed to further the tenure,” the BCCI stated in a release.
The duration of the extension granted to Dravid and his support staff was not specified, although it is likely to last until the West Indies and USA T20 World Cup in June of the following year.
Dravid was named India’s head coach following the 2021 T20 World Cup. India has performed admirably in all three forms since then. They defeated Sri Lanka, South Africa, and New Zealand at home and kept the Border-Gavaskar trophy. Their progress was halted in ICC competitions during the 2022 T20 World Cup semifinals. In the World Test Championship, they performed far better, but they fell short at the last hurdle. In the ODI World Cup, the narrative was comparable. Dravid’s team finished second against Australia in the semi-finals despite their impressive results up until then.
The Asia Cup, held in Sri Lanka in 2023, was the only multi-nation trophy that India won under Dravid’s leadership.
VVS Laxman will remain the head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, even though he is presently coaching the young Indian team in an acting capacity for the five-match T20I series against Australia.
“The Board praises Dravid’s extraordinary professionalism and appreciates his pivotal contribution in shaping the Indian Team. The Board also recognises VVS Laxman for his excellent work as the NCA Head and interim Head Coach. In keeping with their illustrious on-field collaborations, Dravid and Laxman have collaborated closely to advance Indian cricket, the announcement stated.
In addition to thanking his family for their efforts, Dravid stated that he will not waver in his commitment to ending India’s protracted quest for an ICC trophy.
“Working with Team India over the past two years has been really unforgettable. We have experienced both highs and lows together, and the group’s support and companionship have been incredible the entire time. Sincerely, I’m proud of the culture we’ve established in the changing room. It is a culture that perseveres through hardships as well as triumphs. Our crew is incredibly talented and skilled, and we have placed a strong emphasis on following the correct procedures and adhering to our plans, which has directly affected the end product.
“I express my gratitude to the BCCI and the Office Bearers for their confidence in me, support throughout this time, and endorsement of my vision. Due to the demands of my position, I have to spend a lot of time away from home, and I am very grateful for my family’s support and sacrifices. Their support work in the background has been crucial. We are still dedicated to pursuing excellence even as we take on new challenges beyond the World Cup,” Dravid stated.
Dravid’s efforts to propel India to the top of the rankings in all three formats were praised by BCCI president Roger Binny and secretary Jay Shah, who also wished him luck in the future.
The success of Team India has been largely attributed to Rahul Dravid’s vision, professionalism, and unwavering efforts. Being the Indian Cricket Team’s head coach puts you under constant scrutiny, therefore I’d want to thank him for accepting the obstacles and succeeding in them. The Indian Team’s accomplishments bear witness to his strategic direction. It is a testament to the mutual respect and shared vision between him and the BCCI, and it gives me great pleasure that he accepted the opportunity to continue as Head Coach. “Under his leadership, the team will undoubtedly surpass previous achievements and reach new heights,” stated Binny.
The BCCI secretary, Jay Shah, stated that Dravid is the best person to advance Indian cricket.
“I had stated that, at the time of his hiring, Rahul Dravid was the best candidate to assume the position of Head Coach, and Dravid has once again shown his unwavering dedication to perfection. Team India has become into a formidable force in all three forms, and our success in all three formats is a direct result of his vision, direction, and team strategy.
Our World Cup campaign was nothing short of spectacular, having won 10 straight games before to the final, and the Head Coach deserves recognition for creating the ideal environment for the squad to succeed. We fully support Head Coach and will do all in our power to ensure his continued success on the international front.