Reports: Ricky Ponting declined BCCI’s offer to become India’s coach

If reports are to be believed, former Australia batter Ricky Ponting had turned down the BCCI’s offer to become Team India’s head coach. Ponting is currently the head coach of the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League. Ponting was asked to replace Ravi Shastri, whose tenure as the head coach ends after the ongoing 2021 edition of the T20 World Cup in Oman and UAE.

However, Ponting declined the offer, albeit the reasons behind his decision are still unknown. Rahul Dravid, the former Indian cricketer, was appointed as Shastri’s successor. Dravid was roped in after the veteran met with BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and honorary secretary Jay Shah in Dubai.

“Rahul was the only ideal candidate. The challenge was making him agree to it. Truth be told, there’s no other choice,” a source was quoted as saying to The Times of India.

Rahul Dravid to step down as NCA head

Going by reports, Dravid has been appointed on a two-year contract and he will draw a salary of INR 10 crores. Moreover, he has to step down as the head of the National Cricket Academy. Paras Mhambrey has been named as the bowling coach, replacing Bharat Arun.

India are most likely to persist with Vikram Rathour as their batting coach. Dravid and the support staff are set to take charge from India’s home series against New Zealand that starts after the T20 World Cup.  

“Dravid has confirmed he will be the next head coach of the Indian team. He will be stepping down as the head of the NCA soon,” a BCCI official said to the same publication.

“He was re-appointed as the NCA head last month. But the BCCI needed a strong candidate to take Indian cricket forward. He has worked so hard to develop the next line of Indian cricketers. Even Mhambrey knows this next lot of players like the back of his hand.

“So, Ganguly and Shah thought it would be best if they could bring both of them on board. They will assume charge from the New Zealand series after the World Cup,” the source added.

Dravid was India’s head coach when the team played a T20I and ODI series in Sri Lanka back in July.