New Delhi, India

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The current Indian Team head coach, Rahul Dravid, is unlikely to reapply for the to-be-vacant position despite BCCI secretary Jay Shah confirming the board has kept the doors open for the India great to continue as the top boss across formats. With Shah announcing that BCCI will invite applicants for the head coach’s role following the 2024 T20 World Cup, Dravid is likely to let go of this chance, per the latest reports.

Following last year’s home World Cup, where India finished runners-up, the BCCI extended Dravid’s contract until the showpiece event in the Caribbean and the USA this year. 

Under Dravid’s coaching since, India won the away white-ball series against South Africa late last year, won the home T20Is against Afghanistan and beat England 4-1 in the home Test series.

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Per Dravid’s contract extension clause, his final assignment will be the T20 WC starting June 1. Although India dominated across formats under Dravid’s guidance, including reaching the semis of the 2022 T20 WC and making the finals of the World Test Championship for the second straight time last year, they failed to get their hands on the trophy.

With the 20-team tournament offering both Dravid and Team India the last chance to go for the trophy together, it remains to be seen where they end up in the ninth edition of this tournament.

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Doors open for a foreign coach

Considering the BCCI has appointed only Indian coaches since Duncan Fletcher, the board is reportedly open to having foreign coaches this time around. Although the board is yet to open invitations for the same, several contenders are already interested in bagging the coveted job in Indian cricket.

Meanwhile, Shah said that the appointment of the backroom staff, including the batting, bowling and fielding coaches, will be determined once the head coach is picked.

“We cannot determine whether the new coach will be Indian or foreign. It will be up to the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC),” Jay Shah said earlier.

Notably, under Gary Kirsten as coach, India lifted the 2011 50-over World Cup in India, winning it after 28 years, whereas, under Fletcher, India won the Champions Trophy in England two years later.