Head coach Rahul Dravid has made a massive statement about his future as coach of the Indian national cricket team. He confirmed that the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 will be his last tournament with the Rohit Sharma-led team.
Rahul Dravid’s stint as head coach of the Indian national cricket team will end after the T20 World Cup 2024. His contract will expire after the tournament and to take up the position again, he must re-apply for the position.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has invited applications for the head coach of the team and has received many applications for the same. There were indications that Rahul Dravid will not continue, but now it has also been confirmed.
Rahul Dravid, ahead of India’s first match against Ireland in the T20 World Cup 2024, addressed the press conference. The Indian head coach revealed that he will not be a part of the team after the ongoing tournament as he will not apply for the team position again. “This is my last tournament,” said Rahul Dravid.
Rahul Dravid joined the Indian team after the exit of Ravi Shastri. He had a decent outing with the team as under him as coach, the team reached the semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2022, the final of the ICC World Test Championship and the ICC World Cup 2023.
On the Test cricket front, India were dominant under Rahul Dravid, winning every home series and producing sensational performances abroad. Under him, India also drew the Test series against South Africa and defeated the West Indies and Bangladesh in their backyard.
Rahul Dravid would now be keen to end his tenure as team India’s head coach at the top. He would be eager to guide India to glory in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. The team will open their campaign against Ireland on June 5 in New York.
We don’t want to reveal: Rahul Dravid on India’s opening combination
One of the main talking points ahead of India’s first match is what the team’s starting combination will be in the first match against Ireland. More debates followed when Yashavi Jaiswal did not open with Rohit Sharma in the warm-up match.
This gives a hint that India could promote Virat Kohli to open the innings. The batsman displayed excellent touch with the bat during IPL 2024. While he opened the batting for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, he scored 741 runs.
Rahul Dravid was asked the same and he did not reveal the combination for the opening match. He said Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal are there, but they also have Virat Kohli, so everything is on the line. He added:
“We don’t want to reveal too much, but we have Rohit and Jaiswal, Virat also opened in IPL, so everything is on the line.”
Opening with Virat Kohli could allow India to get the combination they want. It remains to be seen who will partner Rohit Sharma at the top of the T20 World Cup 2024.