Two-year U19, India A coaching contract offered to Rahul Dravid

Former Indian skipper Rahul Dravid has been offered a two year extension in his contract for the coach of the India A team and the India U19 team. The recent reports in the Indian Express suggest that the other details regarding the same have not been finalised yet. The decision to offer extension to Rahul Dravid was taken by the Cricket Advisory Committe (CAC) whose members are Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, and VVS Laxman.

There were no interviews and applications invited for this post. On the contrary, in case of the position of the head coach of Team India, the BCCI had invited applications for the new coach recently. Elaborating the reason for this dispariy, a BCCI official noted that in case of Rahul Dravid, the contract had an extension clause whereas the contract of Anil Kumble did not have any such clause.

“In Dravid’s contract, there is a line which states the BCCI can give extension to him. Whereas in (Anil) Kumble’s contract there is no clause of extension. That is why process (to call me applicants) was followed in Kumble’s case,” a BCCI official quoted. It was further revealed that the proper and official announcement regarding the same would be done during the general body meeting of the BCCI soon.

“The CAC has approved the two-year extension and now everything depends on money to be paid to Dravid. The earlier contract was for ten months and board paid him more than four crores. Now, a new contract with new salary has to be provided. There is chance that his appointment would come up at board special general body meeting,” the BCCI quoted.

No IPL assignments?

In case Rahul Dravid takes up the role, he will not be allowed to be a part of the IPL assignments hereafter as per the new norms of the CoA and the BCCI. Dravid is likely to be handed a 2-year contract for the coveted role. The India U19 team is scheduled to tour England for a short series this month.