Indian coaches, support staff likely to face conflict of interest dilemma like Rahul Dravid

Former Indian cricketer Rahul Dravid is facing a big dilemma at the moment. The recent rules regarding the Conflict of Interest imposed by the CoA sees Dravid in a tricky position. He has been offered a two year extension as the coach of the India A and the U19 teams. However, if he takes up the job, he will have to quit his role in the IPL and his media engagements as they would violate the conflict of interests.

Dravid is currently the team mentor of the Delhi Daredevils in the IPL. Rahul Dravid is likely to take a call on the same in the days to come. However, a bigger tension awaits the BCCI. It is not just Dravid who would be facing this dilemma. Most other coaches and the support staff are likely to face similar situation in the days to come. The current team management of the Indian cricket team has members who serve in multiple roles in the IPL. All of them will have to quit either their post with the IPL or their role with the Indian team.

The board might also end up arriving at a situation wherein the individuals might prefer the T20 league over national duties. The reason is the remuneration. There are various T20 leagues in the world and hence these men can easily make huge sums of money by serving in the T20 leagues. On the contrary, if they are bound to the Indian team, they cannot take up any other job during their 2 year contract.

“There are so many T20 leagues around the world – West Indies, Australia, Pakistan, Bangladesh and now the one in South Africa and England. Uptill now, the India team job and IPL would pay you enough, but without IPL the equation will change. Now top professionals have lots of options around the world, and it will be tough for BCCI to stop them,” a board official quoted as per the quotes in the Indian Express.

On new contracts

The official further noted that the new contracts will be offered to the individuals once the team returns from the West Indies tour. Meanwhile, individuals like Andrew Leipus, the physio at the NCA, has written to the BCCI seeking clarity on his role. He is also involved with the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL. The BCCI has offered Rahul Dravid a two year extension in his contract. Dravid’s tenure as the coach of the Indian colts ended in March this year.

“The board has to take a call on support staff and other coaches who have been on the payroll of the Indian board, but still serve in the IPL for two months. Once the Indian team is back from the West Indies, new contracts will be given. We will be discussing whether the board should first give them the offer or straight away call for new applications,” the official conceded.