Rahul Dravid to continue as Indian cricket team's head coach; support staff handed contract extensions

Rahul Dravid was given an extension as Team India’s head coach by BCCI on Wednesday after his tenure came to an end with the Cricket World Cup. The Indian cricket team’s support staff were also handed contract extensions. The tenure of the extension has not been revealed yet but Dravid is expected to be the coach till the 2024 T20 World Cup. The cricket board in a statement said that it engaged in “productive discussions” with Dravid after the term of his contract ended following the recently concluded ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 and “unanimously agreed” to further the tenure. VVX Laxman, who is currently serving as India’s interim coach in the ongoing T20I series against Australia, will continue as National Cricket Academy (NCA) head. “The Board acknowledges Mr. Dravid’s instrumental role in moulding the Indian Team and commends his exceptional professionalism. The Board also appreciates Mr. VVS Laxman for his exemplary roles as Head of NCA and as the stand-in Head Coach. Similar to their legendary on-field partnerships, Mr. Dravid and Mr. Laxman have worked closely in driving Indian Cricket forward,” BCCI’s statement read. After his contract extension, Dravid said that he remains committed to pursuing excellence with Team India. “As we embrace new challenges post the World Cup, we remain committed to the pursuit of excellence,” he said. He also reflected on his two-year tenure with the Indian cricket team and the support he got from BCCI. “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. “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.” Jay Shah, Honorary Secretary, BCCI, said that Dravid has the full support of the cricket board. “I had mentioned that there is no better person than Rahul Dravid to take over the role of Head Coach at the time of his appointment, and Mr. Dravid has proven himself again with his unparalleled commitment to excellence. Team India is now a formidable unit across formats, and our top ranking in all three formats directly reflects his vision, guidance, and the roadmap he charted for the team. Having won 10 consecutive games before the final, our World Cup campaign was nothing short of extraordinary, and the Head Coach deserves appreciation for setting up the right platform for the team to flourish. The Head Coach has our full backing, and we will provide him with all the support needed for sustained success at the international level,” he said. Apart from Dravid, batting coach Vikram Rathour, bowling coach Paras Mhambrey and fielding coach T Dilip were also handed contract extensions.