India vs Sri Lanka: NCA head Rahul Dravid likely to coach second-string national side for limited-overs tour

National Cricket Academy (NCA) head and former India skipper Rahul Dravid is likely to serve as the team’s coach for the Sri Lanka tour, according to ESPN Cricinfo . The website also reported that former India seamer Paras Mhambrey is the prime candidate to tour the island nation as the bowling coach. He has also coached the India A and U-19 teams in the past. The tour, comprising three ODIs and as many T20Is, will take place between 13-27 July and feature a second-string India side. As per the itinerary, India’s white-ball squad is expected to reach Sri Lanka on 5 July and fly back on 28 July. Meanwhile, head coach Ravi Shastri will be busy with the Test team to help them prepare for the five-match series against England which will begin in on 4 August. India’s bowling coach Bharat Arun, fielding coach R Sridhar and batting coach Vikram Rathour will also remain with the Test team. Before taking on England, Virat Kohli’s men will lock horns with Kane Williamson-led New Zealand in the World Test Championship final in Southampton from 22 June. The 48-year-old Dravid has groomed a number of youngsters, who will feature for India against Sri Lanka, while coaching India’s U-19 and India A teams. Often referred to as ‘The Wall’, he has previously worked with the national team as the batting consultant during the 2014 England tour.