Rahul Dravid will step down as India’s head coach when his contract expires this month following the conclusion of the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup.
After three years in charge, the former India captain said he would not reapply for the head coach post when his term ends at the end of June.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has since advertised the job, and Gautam Gambhir is rumoured to be one of the favourites to land the role.
Dravid, 51, told reporters ahead of India’s opening World Cup game in New York that he loved his time in charge of the national team.
“I love doing the job. I’ve really enjoyed coaching India and I think it’s a truly special job to do. I enjoyed working with this team, and it’s a great bunch of boys to work with,” he said.
After taking charge from Ravi Shastri after the 2021 edition of the T20 World Cup, Dravid has had an intense schedule, which he cited as the reason behind his decision not to reapply.
“It is going to be the last one that I am in charge of. 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.”
Dravid took the opportunity to analyse the team’s performances in major tournaments. He feels they did well despite not winning any silverware.
“To be very honest, I think we’ve actually played really well in these tournaments,” he said.
“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 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.”
Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and company will hope to send their coach off with a big victory as they set their sights on winning the T20 showpiece event for the first time since 2007.
India face Ireland in New York on Wednesday.
Pictured above: Rahul Dravid.
Image source: @mufaddal_vohra
