Rahul Dravid has accepted the BCCI’s offer to extend his contract as India’s head coach. While the BCCI did not specify the length of the extension, it will last at least until the June 2024 T20 World Cup.
Dravid was appointed head coach in November 2021 for a two-year contract that ended earlier this month with the conclusion of the 2023 ODI World Cup. While India has moved to the top of the Test, ODI, and T20I rankings under Dravid’s coaching, they have yet to win an ICC trophy, ending as semi-finalists in the 2022 T20 World Cup and runners-up in the 2023 World Test Championship and 2023 ODI World Cup. India’s performance in the ODI World Cup was exceptionally impressive: they won all nine league games and the semi-final before falling to Australia in the final.
“The last two years with Team India have been thoroughly memorable,” Dravid said in a statement announcing his contract extension. “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. As we embrace new challenges post the World Cup, we remain committed to the pursuit of excellence.”
Dravid’s first job as India’s head coach is a tour of South Africa, which begins on December 10 with three T20Is and three ODIs, followed by two Tests in Centurion (from December 26) and Cape Town (from January 3). After that, India will host a five-Test series against England before the T20 World Cup in June.
The BCCI secretary, Jay Shah, stated that Dravid has the board’s “complete support.” “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,” Shah said in a statement. “With 10 consecutive wins prior to the final, our World Cup campaign was nothing short of extraordinary, and the head coach deserves credit for laying the groundwork for the team to thrive.” We fully support the head coach and will provide him with all the resources he needs to achieve long-term success at the international level.”
The BCCI has also extended the contracts of India’s support staff, including batting coach Vikram Rathour, bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, and fielding coach T Dilip.
