The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has sought applications for appointment as Head of Cricket at the National Cricket Academy, a post held by former India captain Rahul Dravid for two years.
In an advertisement on its website, the BCCI has specified that those who have playe at least 25 Tests and coached for at least five years at international level or at India-A, India Under-19, India Women or the Indian Premier League are eligible. Applications may be sent in before August 15. The age limit of 60 years remains intact.
The Hindu understands that the advertisement has been issued since Dravid’s two-year stint that began in July 2019 has come to an end.
It will be surprising if Dravid does not reapply, as per the new protocols, and continues to head the development structure and continues to work closely with the senior national men and women’s sides.
The timing of the advertisement, however, has raised a few eyebrows among the State associations. Since the tenure of head coach Ravi Shastri will come to an end after the T20 World Cup in November — and he will turn 60 next year — a section of the BCCI hierarchy is trying to convince Dravid to take over the mantle of the men’s team.
Some of the BCCI affiliates hope that Dravid, who was the coach in Sri Lanka for last month’s limited-overs series that clashed with the England tour, agrees to take charge.
However, sources at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, where Dravid has been based, indicated that Dravid is set on continuing to create a strong feeder line for Indian cricket.