After India’s next all-format away series in South Africa, the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) will consider extending head coach Rahul Dravid contract. Interestingly, Dravid’s position was terminated at the conclusion of the 2023 ODI World Cup. But the BCCI recently extended his contract until the June 2024 T20 World Cup, which is slated to take place in the West Indies.
The BCCI secretary, Jay Shah, recently disclosed the rationale behind Rahul Dravid unexpected contract extension, stating that the board was short on time to choose an interim coach. The board will make additional decisions on his term after the team’s January 2024 return from South Africa.
“We were pressed for time. We talked with them and decided that he could go on. Cricbuzz cited BCCI secretary Jay Shah as saying, “We will meet with him when they get back from South Africa to decide on the duration.
Speaking ahead of time, Shah said that they will make a choice following the January series against Afghanistan and the 2024 Indian Premier League, leaving skipper Rohit Sharma’s spot in the T20 World Cup 2024 up in the air.
In addition, Shah provided an update on Hardik Pandya’s fitness, stating that he is being watched closely every day and might be ready for the Afghanistan series.
Even before the Afghanistan series, Hardik may be in shape: Jay Shah
“June marks the commencement of the Twenty20 World Cup competition. Prior to it, there’s the Afghanistan series and the Indian Premier League. We’ll make a wise choice. Every day, there is monitoring of him (Hardik). He’s at NCA. He is putting in a lot of effort at work. We’ll notify you when it’s appropriate. He said, “He can be in shape even before the Afghanistan series.”
Notably, Pandya has not played since October 19, in Pune, during India’s ODI World Cup 2023 group match against Bangladesh. When attempting to stop a boundary off his own bowling, the all-round player injured his ankle.
The BCCI Secretary provided an update on Mohammed Shami’s fitness and expressed confidence that he would recover in time for the Test series against South Africa, which begins on December 26. Notably, Mohammed Shami has been out since the 2023 ODI World Cup due to an ankle ailment. That didn’t stop him from winning the event, though, as he finished with 24 wickets to his credit, first among all bowlers.
“Mohammed Shami need to be prepared for the series in South Africa. He hasn’t visited the NCA yet, but he will shortly. We have faith that he will heal quickly,” Shah remarked.
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