Former Indian all-rounder Reetinder Sodhi feels inserting Rahul Dravid as the head coach of India doesn’t look like a temporary thing and he can replace Ravi Shastri from the top post. Dravid was sent to Sri Lanka as the head coach in Shastri’s absence, who is busy with India’s Test squad in England that participated in the World Test Championship Final.
When the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced India will send a different team for the tour of Sri Lanka in July, several people were scratching heads. However, the selectors named several youngsters in the squad along with experienced players like Shikhar Dhawan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Hardik Pandya.
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Meanwhile, the head coach’s job fell into Rahul Dravid’s lap, who is a hot demand to replace Shastri once his contract runs out. Shastri’s contract will end at the end of the T20 World Cup 2021. Reetinder Sodhi, who played 18 ODIs for India, feels BCCI has something in mind for Dravid or they couldn’t have asked Rahul Dravid for a temporary gig.
“First of all, we have to acknowledge that Ravi Shastri has done a great job as coach. And yes, his contract is coming to an end. But let’s think about it… a temporary arrangement and that too Rahul Dravid? I think it’s virtually impossible. If he is going to Sri Lanka as the head coach, somewhere it’s a clear indication that he is in line. If there’s anyone that can replace Ravi Shastri as coach, that person in Rahul Dravid,” Sodhi told India News Sports.
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Rahul Dravid has coached India U-19 and ‘A’ team in the past and many believe he is responsible for harvesting such a talented pool of young players that India are reaping reward from. As a result, despite sending a second-string team to Sri Lanka, the squad still looks solid. His coached India U-19 team, comprising the likes of Prithvi Shaw and Shubhman Gill, won the U-19 World Cup 2018 in New Zealand.
“I’m sure he must have been asked about it. Had he wanted to remain director of cricket or NCA head, he could have easily said no. He is a family man; he could have stayed in Bengaluru. But he has taken the responsibility. He is going and wants the team to do well. I feel that if there is a replacement, Rahul Dravid is very much in line. Such a legendary player can never be a temporary option,” Sodhi pointed out.
