 "BCCI extends head coach Dravid and his support staff's contract for India")
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) extended the contract of head coach Rahul Dravid and the support staff of Team India on Wednesday (November 29).
Rahul Dravid accepted BCCI's offer to extend his term as the board wanted to ensure continuity to the structure he had established over the past two years.
In a press statement, BCCI said that all the stakeholders had a productive discussion with Dravid after his contract ended following ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. However, during the announcement, BCCI did not disclose the tenure of his second term.
"The BCCI engaged in productive discussions with Mr. Rahul Dravid after the term of his contract ended following the recently concluded ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 and unanimously agreed to further the tenure," BCCI said in the statement.
"The Board acknowledges Dravid's instrumental role in moulding the Indian Team and commends his exceptional professionalism. The Board also appreciates VVS Laxman's exemplary roles as Head of NCA and the stand-in Head Coach. Like their legendary on-field partnerships, Dravid and Laxman have worked closely to drive Indian Cricket forward."
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BCCI president Roger Binny praised Dravid's professionalism: "Rahul Dravid’s vision, professionalism, and unyielding efforts have been important pillars in Team India’s success."
"Having won 10 consecutive games before the final, our World Cup campaign was nothing short of extraordinary, and the Head Coach deserves appreciation for setting up the right platform for the team to flourish. The Head Coach has our full backing, and we will provide him with all the support needed for sustained success at the international level."
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Meanwhile, Dravid thanked BCCI and the Office Bearers for trusting him and endorsing his vision.
"The last two years with Team India have been thoroughly memorable. Together, we have witnessed the highs and lows, and throughout this journey, the support and camaraderie within the group have been phenomenal. I am genuinely proud of the culture we have set in the dressing room," Rahul said in a statement.
Rahul Dravid coaching staff
Batting coach: Vikram Rathour
Bowling coach: Paras Mhambrey
Fielding coach: R Sridhar
What next for Rahul Dravid as head coach of Team India?
Dravid's first assignment in his second stint will be the tour of South Africa from December 10, which will have three ODIs and T20Is each and two Tests. The red-ball leg will start from December 26.
| India tour of South Africa 2023-24 full schedule | |||
| Date | matches | Timings (IST) | |
| 10-Dec | South Africa vs India 1st T20I | 1st T20I | 9:30 PM |
| 12-Dec | South Africa vs India | 2nd T20I | 9:30 PM |
| 14-Dec | South Africa vs India | 3rd T20I | 9:30 PM |
| ODI series | |||
| 17-Dec | South Africa vs India | 1st ODI | 1:30 PM |
| 19-Dec | South Africa vs India | 2nd ODI | 4:30 PM |
| 21-Dec | South Africa vs India | 3rd ODI | 4:30 PM |
| Test series | |||
| Dec 26-Dec 30 | South Africa vs India | 1st Test | 1:30 PM |
| Jan 03-Jan 07 | South Africa vs India | 2nd Test | 2:00 PM |
Following that will be a five-match Test series against England at home, before the ICC T20 World Cup in June in West Indies/USA.
England tour of India 2024 full schedule
| England tour of India for five-match Test series | ||||
| Match Date | Matches | Venue | Match timings (IST) | |
| Jan 25-Jan 29 | India vs England | 1st Test | Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad | 9:30 AM |
| Feb 02-Feb 06 | India vs England | 2nd Test | Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam | 9:30 AM |
| Feb 15-Feb 19 | India vs England | 3rd Test | Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot | 9:30 AM |
| Feb 23-Feb 27 | India vs England | 4th Test | JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi | 9:30 AM |
| Mar 07-Mar 11 | India vs England | 5th Test | Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala | 9:30 AM |
Dravid achievements as India coach
Dravid replaced Ravi Shastri following a disappointing ICC T20 World Cup campaign in 2021, which saw India exit in the Super 12 stage. He was appointed for a two-year term, which ended with India's runners-up finish in the recently concluded ICC Cricket World Cup at home.
This is the joint-best finish under Dravid in an ICC tournament, losing to Australia in the ICC World Test Championship in June. Before this, they registered a ten-wicket loss to England in the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 semifinals in Australia.