Top Focus/ Rahul Dravid's stint to end after World Cup? Another India legend likely to become next India coach

Rahul Dravid's contract as Team India head coach will come to an end after the ODI World Cup. Dravid became India's head coach in November 2021 and has since taken the team to No. 1 position in all three formats of the game. Dravid will now be looking for the ultimate crown as India head towards winning their 3rd ODI World Cup title. 

Dravid might not be India's coach when the team faces Australia in a five-match T20I series, that starts within a week after the end of the 2023 ODI World Cup. National Cricket Academy head VVS Laxman is likely to be the person to replace Dravid in the dugout for the IND vs AUS series. Dravid has the option to reapply for the position of head coach after the World Cup as the BCCI will reinvite applications for the job after the World Cup.

It looks unlikely that 51-year-old Dravid might want to continue as the head coach after the ODI World Cup due to extensive travelling and constant pressure from the fans and media. Dravid had earlier hinted that he did not want to take the job earlier due to the same reason. 

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Laxman could be next India coach 

But it is highly likely that Dravid, as well as the entire squad save Suryakumar Yadav, will be given much-needed rest after a gruelling campaign in which they had to travel more than 10,000 kms across the country.

"VVS Laxman has always been in charge when Rahul has taken a break and same thing is likely to continue for the series just after the World Cup," a BCCI source told PTI on condition of anonymity.

In case fresh applications are invited, Laxman could be a very strong candidate as BCCI has created a process, where the person in charge of NCA and knows the system and pathways inside out, is prepared for the role.

Most of the members in the T20 squad for the Australia series will comprise of players, who were part of the T20 series in the West Indies, Ireland and the Asian Games as the big boys like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul and Jasprit Bumrah will be given a break to freshen up for the big ticket series against South Africa where India play three T20Is, as many ODIs and two Tests.

The five-match T20 series against Australia will begin in Visakhapatnam on November 23.

If Laxman comes on board, Sitansu Kotak will be the batting coach. Kotak is also expected to be the coach of India 'A' team for the shadow tour of South Africa.

(with PTI inputs)