Following India’s commendable performance in the recent ODI World Cup 2023, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reportedly extended a contract offer to head coach Rahul Dravid, potentially keeping him at the helm until the 2024 T20 World Cup. However, cricket pundits like Aakash Chopra raise concerns about the demanding nature of the role and its potential impact on Dravid’s personal life.
Dravid’s initial reluctance to accept the head coach position stemmed from the time commitment and potential strain on his family life. Nevertheless, he eventually agreed to a two-year contract, with the primary goal of achieving success in the 2022 T20 World Cup and the 2023 ODI World Cup.
While India’s performance in the shortest format fell short of expectations, their ODI World Cup run was remarkable. However, they narrowly missed out on the coveted trophy, losing to Australia in the final. Dravid’s decision to continue as head coach remains uncertain, as he has yet to provide a definitive answer.
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Aakash Chopra, a renowned cricket commentator, believes that Dravid might decline the contract extension to prioritize his family. He emphasizes the demanding nature of the coaching role, which often requires extensive travel and time away from loved ones.
“Team India’s coaching job takes a huge toll. For your family, for your personal life, it’s a little harmful,” Aakash Chopra stated on his YouTube channel. “You are on the road so much that it doesn’t work out very well.”
Aakash Chopra also suggests that senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli might continue to represent India in the upcoming T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA. If these veterans remain in the squad, the team composition could closely resemble that of the 2022 edition.
“I have a feeling that they (BCCI) have also told Rohit Sharma that we are not going to tell you anything, you carry on and lead us in the T20 World Cup 2024. I am almost sure that the same thing has been told to Virat Kohli,” Aakash Chopra added.
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Dravid’s decision regarding the contract extension remains pending. While the BCCI is keen to retain his expertise, the coach’s personal priorities and the impact on his family will weigh heavily on his decision.
