After the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, Rahul Dravid is set to vacate his position as the head coach of Rohit Sharma's Team India, reports suggest. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has opened applications for the role, inviting candidates for a tenure of three and a half years. While Dravid's current tenure concludes after the T20 World Cup, the BCCI has allowed him the option to reapply if he wishes to continue.
The deadline for applications is May 27, 2024, and the new head coach will assume charge from July 1, immediately following the T20 World Cup. However, Dravid has reportedly communicated his decision not to seek an extension due to personal reasons. Despite appeals from senior players to extend his tenure, Dravid remains steadfast in his intention to step down after the T20 World Cup.
Moreover, VVS Laxman, the chief of the National Cricket Academy (NCA), is unlikely to pursue the head coach role following Dravid's departure. Laxman, who was previously considered a frontrunner for the position, has been heading the NCA for the past three years. Although he has served as India's stand-in coach in Dravid's absence for events like the Asian Games and bilateral T20I series, Laxman seems uninterested in applying for the head coach position.
With Dravid's impending exit and Laxman's reluctance to apply, attention has turned to IPL team head coaches as potential candidates. However, IPL head coaches will need to submit applications to confirm their availability post the T20 World Cup. Stephen Fleming of Chennai Super Kings and Justin Langer of Lucknow Super Giants have emerged as top contenders for the position, according to previous reports.
