Team India faced a devastating six-wicket loss to Australia in the World Cup final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, marking the end of an era. This match concluded Rahul Dravid's tenure as head coach. According to TOI's report, the esteemed batsman, whose two-year contract concluded with the World Cup, has opted not to extend his role as head coach of the Indian team and has conveyed this decision to the BCCI.
It's believed that VVS Laxman, currently the head coach of a secondary Indian team set to play against Australia in a five-match T20I series in Vizag, is set to take over from Dravid. Laxman also leads the BCCI's National Cricket Academy and served as interim head coach for the Indian team in the Ireland T20I series pre-World Cup and the white-ball series versus New Zealand post-T20 World Cup last year.
Reportedly Laxman has shown a strong interest in the position. During the World Cup, he made a trip to Ahmedabad to discuss this matter with the top officials of the BCCI. It's anticipated that he will finalise a lengthy contract as the Team India coach and will undoubtedly accompany the team in this role for the forthcoming South Africa tour, marking his debut as the full-time head coach of India.
The first T20I against South Africa is slated for December 10, with the team likely departing by December 4. Dravid took over as Team India's head coach in November 2021 on a two-year deal, concluding with the World Cup.
Dravid is reported to have informed the BCCI about his choice to step away from a full-time coaching role. Having spent close to two decades travelling with the Indian team, both as a player and more recently as a coach, he's inclined to avoid a similar level of commitment once again. He finds satisfaction in a position at the NCA in Bengaluru, enabling him to remain in his hometown. While open to occasional coaching engagements, he's not seeking a full-time role.
Reports suggest Dravid is exploring opportunities in the IPL, considering a significant two-year contract with a team. Uncertainty surrounds the continuity of other support staff members, including Vikram Rathour (batting coach), Paras Mhambrey (bowling coach), and T Dilip (fielding coach), as their contracts also ended with the World Cup.
Dravid's two-year tenure witnessed various milestones, including reaching the T20 World Cup semifinals, triumphing in the Asia Cup, reaching the ODI World Cup final, and numerous series wins at home and away. However, there were setbacks, notably in the South Africa and England Test and ODI series.
Dravid, when asked about his future after the World Cup 2023 final defeat to Australia, Dravid remained non-committal.
"I haven't thought about it. I've just come off a game. I had no time to think about this and no time to reflect on this. Yeah, I will when I get the time to do that," Dravid had said at the post-match media conference.