Rahul Dravid announced on Monday that he will be stepping down as India’s head coach after the T20 World Cup, bringing an end to his nearly three-year tenure in the role.
His contract is set to expire at the end of the month, and he has decided not to re-apply for the position, which has been advertised by the BCCI since last month.
Speaking ahead of India’s opening match against Ireland in New York on Wednesday, Dravid revealed that this will be his last tournament as coach. He cited the demanding schedule and his personal life circumstances as reasons for not seeking to re-apply for the role, stating that he will not be able to continue in the position at this stage in his life.
Rahul Dravid, India’s head coach, expressed his fondness for his role, stating that he has genuinely enjoyed coaching the team and considers it a unique privilege. He took over the team after Ravi Shastri’s departure following the 2021 T20 World Cup.
This year’s tournament in the United States and West Indies marks Dravid’s final opportunity to end India’s global trophy drought, which dates back to the 2013 Champions Trophy.
Although he guided India to the finals of the World Test Championship and their home 50-over World Cup last year, they ultimately fell short against Australia.
Dravid praised his players, saying that it’s been a pleasure working with them. “I think we’ve actually played really well in these tournaments,” he admitted, highlighting the team’s strong performances.
Dravid noted that the World Test Championship is distinct from other tournaments, as it involves a comprehensive cycle rather than a single event. He emphasized the importance of consistent performance throughout the cycle to reach the final.
Regarding the 50-over World Cup, Dravid highlighted India’s strong run and their appearance in the final. He believes that the team has consistently competed against the best teams in the world.
India has not won the T20 World Cup since its inaugural edition in 2007 and has not lifted the one-day World Cup since 2011.
The team is set to face Pakistan on June 9 and hosts USA three days later in New York, before concluding their group fixtures against Canada in Lauderhill, Florida, on June 15.
