Jay Shah Reveals Why Dravid Didn’t Reapply for Head Coach; Confirms ‘2 Names’ Shortlisted for Replacement

Rahul Dravid, who took over as India’s head coach in November 2021, stepped down from his role after India won the T20 World Cup 2024 title on Saturday. This victory marked Dravid’s first ICC title as head coach. His departure has left many fans and experts wishing he would stay on. BCCI Secretary Jay Shah and India’s head coach Rahul Dravid posed for a picture together. (ANI)

Explaining Dravid’s decision to not extend his contract, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah told reporters in Barbados, “He informed me that he wants to quit due to family commitments, and we respect his decision. I didn’t force him to extend his contract.”

Reflecting on Dravid’s coaching career, Shah said, “Rahul bhai has been serving Indian cricket for the past five and a half years. He was the director of the National Cricket Academy for three years and then served as the head coach of Team India for the past two and a half years.”

Shah also discussed why Dravid’s contract was extended after India’s loss in the 2023 ODI World Cup final. He highlighted Dravid’s crucial role within the team and compared him to Rohit Sharma. “Rahul Dravid’s role is as important as Rohit Sharma’s in this T20 World Cup title win. He is the man who led the team to the 2023 ODI World Cup final and didn’t want to leave because he wanted to finish the job,” Shah said.

Shah also mentioned that the team would have a new head coach for the limited-overs series in Sri Lanka later in July but did not disclose the successor’s name.

“Both the coach and selector appointments will be made soon. The Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) has interviewed and shortlisted two names, and after reaching Mumbai, we will go by their decision. VVS Laxman is going to Zimbabwe, but the new coach will join from the Sri Lanka series,” he said.

According to media reports, Gautam Gambhir is the favorite to take up the role and is competing with WV Raman. After the T20 World Cup final, fans also saw captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retire from T20Is, paving the way for younger players.