PremiumRahul Dravid retained as head coach: Netizens extend warm welcome, Gautam Gambhir weighs in
Earlier today, on November 29, BCCI announced that Rahul Dravid has accepted the board's proposal to retain the position as the head coach of Team India.
Last Updated: 03.43 PM, Nov 29, 2023
Rahul Dravid's tenure extension as the Head Coach of the Indian men's cricket team has pleased the sport's aficionados across the country, particularly the admirers of the former superstar batter.
Earlier today, on November 29, BCCI announced that Dravid has accepted the board's proposal to retain the position as the head coach and will continue being part of the setup for an undisclosed amount of time. The ex-Indian captain's contract for the said position ended with the conclusion of the CWC 2023, which saw the tournament's favourites India lose the final against Pat Cummins' Australia.
Post the loss, Rahul Dravid said that he was in no position to offer any certainty regarding his future as the Head Coach. Having taken some time off, it would seem he has chosen to give the all-important role another valiant go. Alongside, the contracts of the coaching support staff, including Vikram Rathour (batting coach), Paras Mhambrey (bowling coach), and T Dilip (fielding coach) have been extended as well.
Also Read: Surya Kumar Yadav named captain for India v Australia T20 series, VVS Laxman to replace Rahul Dravid
"Thank You, Rahul Dravid," say fans
Fittingly, the legendary cricketer has been welcomed with open arms by fans and cricket lovers who are extremely pleased to see him resuming his work with Team India. Despite the World Cup and the previous World Test Championship Final losses, cricket pundits have hailed Rahul Dravid's impact on the men's unit as substantial. And with the T20 World Cup only around the corner, one would want him to remain associated with the team in pursuit of that seemingly elusive trophy.
"Thank you #RahulDravid for giving us a little more of you. You are truly an inspiration for me and our generation of fans. I cannot think of one more coach who would come out on the day of a world cup final loss and address the media and in turn give the skipper time to grief!" wrote one user on X (formerly Twitter).
In the same vein, another user pointed out how Rahul Dravid rallied behind Rohit Sharma & Co. following the devastating World Cup final loss and offered no excuses for the result.
Just as the encouraging remarks flowed in following BCCI's announcement, opposing views, too, emerged on social media. A few social media users are of the opinion that with the upcoming T20 World Cup now in focus, Team India would benefit from a different coach who could operate with a new perspective.
The question of 'accountability', too, was raised as a few wondered whether harsher decisions were meant to be taken in this regard, considering Rahul Dravid's first tenure from 2021 to 2023 failed to yield Team India an ICC trophy.
Also Read: Watch: Wasim Akram, Shoaib Malik heap praise on former India greats Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly
"Good that Rahul Dravid has accepted this": Gautam Gambhir
Regardless, it does seem that there is a consensus regarding Rahul Dravid's reappointment as the Head Coach of Team India. Former Indian opening batsman and World Cup hero Gautam Gambhir weighed in on the decision and said that with the T20 World Cup in sight at the moment, it would not be wise to change things up drastically.
"It's a good thing (about Rahul Dravid continuing as the coach) because the T20 World Cup is only seven months away. You don't want to change the entire support staff and good that Rahul (Dravid) has accepted this. Hopefully, we can continue to dominate and play some good cricket, which India has done for quite a long period of time," said Gautam Gambhir, before congratulating his former captain Rahul Dravid on the extension of his contract.