Rahul Dravid's Tenure Extended: BCCI Confirms Continuation As Head Coach For Indian Men's Cricket Team
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officially announced on Wednesday the extension of Rahul Dravid's contract as the head coach of the Indian men's cricket team. The extension comes after productive discussions between the board and Dravid following the conclusion of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
BCCI Commends Dravid's Instrumental Role
The BCCI acknowledged Rahul Dravid's instrumental role in shaping the Indian Team and commended his exceptional professionalism. The board also expressed appreciation for VVS Laxman's exemplary contributions as the Head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and the stand-in Head Coach.
"The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announces the extension of contracts for Head Coach Mr. Rahul Dravid and the Support Staff of Team India (Senior Men). The BCCI engaged in productive discussions with Mr. Rahul 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.
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," the BCCI said in a press release.
Dravid Reflects on Memorable Journey
In response to the contract extension, Rahul Dravid, who also captained India during his playing days, shared his thoughts on the last two years with the team. He expressed pride in the culture established in the dressing room, highlighting the team's resilience in both moments of triumph and adversity.
He said, "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."
Dravid's First Stint and Team's Performance
Rahul Dravid took over as India's head coach in November 2021, succeeding Ravi Shastri. In his initial stint, India reached the finals of the ODI World Cup 2023 and the World Test Championship 2023 but fell short of securing the title on both occasions.
The extension of Dravid's contract reflects the BCCI's confidence in his leadership and the positive impact he has had on the team's performance and culture.