Tag: Rahul Dravid

NEW YORK: Rahul Dravid said on Monday that he will leave his post as head coach of Team India at the end of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024 after almost three years in charge.

Dravid’s contract runs out at the end of the month and he will not re-apply for the job, which has been advertised by India’s governing cricket body, the BCCI, since last month.

“It is going to be the last one that I am in charge of,” the 51-year-old told reporters ahead of India’s opening match against Ireland in New York on Wednesday.

“Unfortunately, the kind of schedules and where I find myself at this stage in my life, I don’t think I’ll be able to re-apply. I love doing the job. I’ve really enjoyed coaching India and I think it’s a truly special job to do.”

The former India captain took over the team from Ravi Shastri after the 2021 T20 World Cup.

T20 World Cup 2024 in the United States and West Indies is his last chance to end the country’s global trophy drought, which stretches back to the 2013 Champions Trophy.

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Dravid oversaw India’s runs to the finals of both the World Test Championship and their home 50-over World Cup last year, but they came up short against Australia each time.

“I enjoyed working with this team and it’s a great bunch of boys to work with,” Dravid said. “To be very honest, I think we’ve actually played really well in these tournaments.

“The World Test Championship is slightly different in terms of it’s not one tournament but a whole cycle, but playing extremely well in the cycle to get to the final there again.

“The 50-over World Cup we had a great run and went into the final. I think we’ve been right up there with some of the best teams.”

India have not won the T20 World Cup since its inaugural edition in 2007 and they have not lifted the one-day World Cup since 2011.

India is set to face Pakistan on June 9 and the tournament hosts the USA three days later in New York, before concluding their group fixtures against Canada in Lauderhill, Florida, on June 15.

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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on Wednesday that Rahul Dravid will stay on as coach of India, having led the hosts to the final of the ICC World Cup 2023 earlier this month.

It was “unanimously agreed to further the tenure” of the 50-year-old former skipper, the BCCI said in a statement.

“The board acknowledges Mr [Rahul] Dravid’s instrumental role in moulding the Indian team and commends his exceptional professionalism,” it said.

Dravid’s contract had expired after the ICC World Cup 2023, which ended on November 19 with India’s defeat to Australia.

Dravid was appointed in November 2021 for a two-year period.

“The last two years with team India have been thoroughly memorable,” said Dravid.

“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.”

His team of support staff, including batting coach Vikram Rathour and bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, have also been retained.

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The BCCI did not say how long the new term would be, with India now eyeing the Twenty20 World Cup in June next year as they attempt to break their painful drought in global tournaments.

“Mr Rahul Dravid’s vision, professionalism and unyielding efforts have been important pillars in team India’s success,” Roger Binny, president of the BCCI, said.

“As head coach of the Indian cricket team, you are always under immense scrutiny and I extend appreciation to him not only for embracing the challenges but for thriving in them.”

India, captained by Rohit Sharma, remained unbeaten in 10 matches coming into the ICC World Cup 2023 final in Ahmedabad.

But they lost by six wickets to an Australia side who extended their record of World Cup titles to six.

India last won a global title with the 2013 Champions Trophy and their last World Cup triumph came in 2011 at home.

Dravid, nicknamed “The Wall” or “Mr. Dependable” for his classic batting and rock-solid defence, is expected to lead the team on their tour of South Africa next month.

Before retiring as a player in 2012, Dravid scored 13,288 runs in 164 Tests, second only to the legendary Sachin Tendulkar for India and fourth overall in the world rankings.

Dravid and almost all his World Cup players took a break after the tournament.

Suryakumar Yadav is captaining a second-string India against Australia in a five-match T20 series, while former batter VVS Laxman is coaching the team, which leads the series 2-1.

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BIRMINGHAM: Former Indian captain and head coach Rahul Dravid has backed Virat Kohli and urged the star batter to contribute with match-winning performances -whether a 50 or a 60- as Team India prepares to face England in the rescheduled final Test at Edgbaston on July 1.

Dravid, in his pre-match press conference, put his weight behind Kohli, who has not scored a century since 2019 in any format, and stated that as a head coach he only wanted the batter to make match-winning contributions.

“Obviously, the standards that he has set, people only see hundreds as a success but for me, from a coaches’ perspective, we want contributions from him — match-winning contributions, whether it is a 50 or a 60,” he said as quoted by HindustanTimes. 

“As players, you go through these phases and I don’t think you need the motivation to be very honest with you and I think in Virat’s case it is nothing to do with lack of motivation or desire,” he added

Dravid praised the 34-year-old batter for his hard work and fitness and believed he still had a long career ahead of him.

In my opinion, he is on the right side of 30 and he is an incredibly fit guy. He is one of the most hardworking guys that I have come across and his desire and hunger and the whole attitude of looking after himself,” he concluded.

It is worth mentioning here that India’s current Test skipper Rohit Sharma has been undergoing isolation after he was tested positive for Covid-19, making his availability for tomorrow’s match doubtful.

Although India has called Mayank Agarwal as batting cover but still waiting for further tests of Rohit to announce his replacement as a skipper of the Indian team.

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