The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are searching for the right candidate to be appointed as the coach of the national cricket team. The name that has received popular support for the top post continues to be that of the former India captain, Rahul Dravid.
The former Karnataka batsman has also been suggested for the post by many past and present cricketers, including Sunil Gavaskar and Harbhajan Singh. The BCCI-appointed advisory committee, which includes Indian greats Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman, has also shown interest in signing up Dravid as the coach.
Dravid is currently the Delhi Daredevils mentor, and seems to be doing a wonderful job with the team in IPL 2016. One of the DD players, JP Duminy, has talked about how he has been impressed with his man-management skills, and believes it would be good for India if the Padma Bhushan recipient wants to take up the India job.
"If Rahul himself wants the job... He's first got to have that desire," The Telegraph, Calcutta quoted Duminy as saying. "It has been great... What stands out is Rahul's man-management... When a mentor or coach deals with international players, it's not about teaching technique, but getting the best out of everybody. That is what coaching and mentoring is all about... Rahul is aware of what is required, knows how to get the best out of the franchise's players."
If Dravid becomes India's coach, the youngsters in the team will benefit from his presence as he can play an integral role in helping them grow as cricketers. The India U-19 team also reached the finals of the World Cup under his guidance earlier in the year.
"Rahul has done his apprenticeship... Worked with India A and the India U-19s... Mentored teams in the IPL... He's through with the hard yards, now he has to make an important call," Duminy said.
However, it is not only Dravid, who is tipped to be a contender for the post. Zaheer Khan is also being considered to take up the post of India's coach. And it would come to us as no surprise if the former Team Director, Ravi Shastri, is appointed as the permanent coach. Several senior cricketers, including Test captain, Virat Kohli, have expressed their desire to have Shastri as the coach.
