India suffered yet another defeat in an ICC knockout and this time it was the final of the World Test Championship 2023 against Australia. This is India’s second consecutive WTC final loss, the first one came against New Zealand in 2021. The Indian team, along with coaching staff and players, were criticized for losing yet another ICC knockout game.
Notably, many also urged the BCCI to replace Rahul Dravid as head coach of the team as India’s hasn’t won any multinational tournaments under his coaching. Meanwhile, the tenure of Dravid as per the contract will run until the 2023 ODI World Cup in India. After that, the BCCI might look into some other options as India’s new head coach. Here we will talk about four possible candidates for this role.
4 Candidates to replace Rahul Dravid as India’s next Head Coach
4. Ashish Nehra
Former Indian left-arm pacer Ashish Nehra can be an out of the box option. But his coaching with the Gujarat Titans has found immense success. Under him, GT won the 2022 IPL title in the maiden season and ended as runners-up in the latest edition in 2023. Nehra impressed everyone with his cool and simple coaching style in the IPL, which can be one of the reasons that BCCI might think of him considering the 2024 T20 World Cup next year.
3. VVS Laxman
One of the first names that come to mind as Dravid’s replacement is his former teammate and head of NCA, VVS Laxman. The former stylish batter also worked as interim coach in the absence of Dravid when India toured Zimbabwe with Shikhar Dhawan as the captain and also was with the bilateral series against Ireland in last June. He was also with the team in the initial phase of 2022 Asia Cup when Dravid couldn’t make it due to Covid. Thus, it will not be a surprise if the BCCI plans to give the responsibility to Laxman.
2. Justin Langer
Former Australian opener Justin Langer had vast experience of coaching an international side. He was the head coach of the Australian men’s team between May 2018 and February 2022. Under his coaching, Australia regained the Ashes by beating England 4-0 at home. Australia also won the 2021 T20 World Cup when he was the coach. Thus, if India wants an overseas coach, he is currently available.
1. Ravi Shastri
Despite not winning any ICC event under the coaching of Ravi Shastri, the Indian team achieved huge success during his tenure. He along with Virat Kohli as a captain was a deadly duo, and India remained at the top of test rankings for six consecutive years and won in SENA countries, which was never achieved earlier. Shastri tenure started in 2017 ended after the 2021 T20 World Cup and Dravid took over. But he was the director of cricket for India in 2016 when India made to the semi-final of T20 World Cup. India played the semi-finals of 2019 ODI World Cup and the final of WTC 2021 under him. India needs some changes in their management and Shastri can be game-changer in that.
