Revealed: Who will become Indian cricket team's next head coach if Rahul Dravid doesn't re-apply

Rahul Dravid's tenure as Indian Cricket Team's head coach will end after ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.

Team India are currently on an unbeaten run in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. They have won five out of the five clashes they have played in the tournament so far. Win against New Zealand provided a great deal of confidence for the hosts in the mega event before they march ahead in their quest for the 3rd World Cup title. Team India are currently playing their last tournament under Rahul Dravid's coaching tenure.

Rahul Dravid’s contract will expire right after the World Cup 2023, and BCCI will be seeking applications for the vacant post in the upcoming days. A few reports are claiming National Cricket Academy (NCA) head VVS Laxman will be taking up the responsibility against Australia in the upcoming 5-match T20I series against Australia. This bilateral series will begin three days after the World Cup finals. The five-match T20I series will commence on November 23 in Vishakhapatnam.

VVS Laxman is the potential replacement

A source close to BCCI told news agency PTI, “VVS Laxman has always been in charge when Rahul has taken a break, and the same thing is likely to continue for the series just after the World Cup.” VVS Laxman has replaced Rahul Dravid on several occasions when Rahul Dravid has asked for breaks in between the two bilateral series. VVS Laxman was part of Indian team which travelled to the Asian Games 2023 in China as head coach and won the gold medal in the competition.

Current head coach Rahul Dravid is thinking about leaving Indian set-up and joining a T20 franchise in Indian Premier League (IPL) due to the extensive travel and pressure. 50-year-old Rahul Dravid had to take many breaks in his tenure of two years as Indian head coach. He was part of Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Daredevils in Indian Premier League earlier. To replace Rahul Dravid, NCA head VVS Laxman might be asked to apply for the role.

Team India might be playing without senior players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and KL Rahul in the upcoming 5-match T20I series against Australia. Team India will be traveling to South Africa after Australia series and BCCI is opting for this policy to give senior players a rest before the big tour. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have not played a single T20I game for India since the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia.