In a shocking move, Ravi Shastri has decided to call it a day as an Indian coach after the T20 World Cup. According to the Indian Express, Shastri and company have started exploring alternate options as they will be renouncing their job of being the Indian coaches.
With multiple speculations doing rounds about who may be the next big man for this calling, Rahul Dravid is leading the race by a proverbial mile if he chooses to apply.
As the report states, Shastri has already intimated a few board members about quitting his job. There are a few reasons why he is unwilling to continue with this position. Firstly, BCCI has set the upper age to be India’s coach at 60. Shastri is already 59 and he will have at the most one more year of job left under him.
Secondly, the BCCI has also been raring to look beyond the likes of Shastri as they want the team to be rallied in a better way.
Not only Ravi Shastri himself but batting coach, Vikram Rathour, bowling coach Bharat Arun and fielding coach, R Sridhar wil also be taking out once the main man steps down from the pedestal.
It is being said that the trio are already in talks with a few IPL sides and talks have already advanced to a certain extent.
When did Ravi Shastri start as a coach?
He was first appointed as a team manager in 2014 and continued with the role until 2016. After Kumble’s chequered stint in between, he came back to the side in 2017 as the head coach of the Indian national team.
Despite India failing to win an ICC trophy under his chaperonage, he has evolved this team into one of the most reckoning forces in the current cricketing roster. Also, his inclination towards young cricketers has allowed India to rotate freely and create substantial bench strength.
During his tenure, India has managed to defeat Australia twice Down Under, won against West Indies and Sri Lanka and has posted resolute showdowns against New Zealand, South Africa and New Zealand.
Given Dravid’s stature and experience, the Indian fans want Dravid to take over the calling. Dravid’s legacy with the ‘U-19’ team, List-A teams and recently concluded India Sri Lanka series will make him the front-runner for the job with the people’s love becoming an added bonus.
