T20 World Cup 2024: BCCI to bring a foreign coach to replace Rahul Dravid? Jay Shah makes a sensational revelation

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has hinted at the possibility of an overseas candidate taking over as the head coach of Team India from Rahul Dravid after the conclusion of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in June.

BCCI Secretary Jay Shah has recently confirmed that Rahul Dravid's tenure as the head coach of the Indian cricket team will end with the conclusion of the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, and the board will call for applications in the next few days.

However, Shah said that incumbent coach Dravid would need to reapply for the position if he wishes to continue coaching the national team after the T20 World Cup 2024, as the BCCI will not extend his current contract like they did after the ODI World Cup 2023.

No automatic extension for Rahul Dravid: BCCI 

So, Dravid will be required to undergo the selection process along with other potential candidates. However, the BCCI will also be exploring the possibility of introducing fresh perspectives and expertise to further elevate the Indian cricket team's performance in all formats of the game.

The BCCI secretary also revealed that they are not looking for separate coaches for different formats of the game. Shah also made it clear that the BCCI would not interfere in the decisions of the Cricket Advisory Committee's (CAC) on the new coach’s selection process, even if they selected a foreign coach for the Indian team. Jatin Paranjape, Ashok Malhotra, and Sulakshana Naik are part of CAC.

Jay Shah was quoted as saying by PTI: “There is no precedent of different coaches for different formats in Indian cricket. Besides, we have a number of players who are all-format players. There are many common players across formats such as Rishabh Pant, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Ultimately, this is the Cricket Advisory Committee's call. I have to implement what they decide. If the CAC selects a foreign coach, I can't interfere.”

Overseas coach possible for Team India after a decade

Meanwhile, the media reports suggested that Dravid is unlikely to reply for the head coach’s role after his extension period ends with the T20 World Cup 2024. So, there are high chances of India having a foreign coach after a decade.

Since Duncan Fletcher's exit as the last foreign coach a decade ago, Indian cricket has predominantly been led by former Indian cricket legends. Anil Kumble, Ravi Shastri, and Rahul Dravid helped Team India achieve commendable success over the years at the helm.

Initially, Dravid was not interested in taking over as India’s head coach, but he was reportedly persuaded by then BCCI president and former teammate Sourav Ganguly to assume the role. It remains to be seen who will take the charge if Dravid doesn’t want to continue his job with India.

Notably, Team India is likely to leave for the USA on May 21 for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, starting on June 1. The Men in Blue will kick off their campaign against Ireland on June 5 in New York.