As per reports in ANI, former Indian skipper Rahul Dravid will coach the Indian Cricket team in Sri Lanka. Initially, he was to travel with the team as support staff but recent updates from ANI confirm his selection as the coach of the side for the upcoming series. India play three ODIs and as many T20I in a short trip to Sri Lanka in July. As per SLC’s proposed itinerary to the BCCI, accessed by ESPNcricinfo, the series will commence with the ODIs on July 13, 16, 19 followed by T20I series on July 22, 24, 27. All matches will be played in Colombo’s Premadasa stadium.
Rahul Dravid was offered the coach’s role by the BCCI in the Sri Lanka tour which he has finally accepted after a lot of contemplation. Meanwhile, this will be his second stint with the Indian team after he worked as a batting consultant during the England tour in 2014.
Also Read: Shikhar Dhawan Likely To Lead India Against Sri Lanka: Reports
Rahul Dravid Appointed as Team India Coach in Sri Lanka
“The Team India coaching staff will be in the UK and it is best that the young team is guided by Dravid as he has already worked with almost all of the India ‘A’ boys. The comfort the youngsters share with him will be an added advantage,” the official said.
Rahul Dravid has been coaching the Indian A side for a long time. He India A and U-19 coach in 2015. He was reappointed in 2017. Under Dravid, India made it to the final of the 2016 U-19 World Cup, where they lost to the West Indies. In 2018, the Prithvi Shaw-led side clinched the title. He then took over as the Head of National Cricket Academy (NCA) in 2019.
The Indian team in Sri Lanka will have a different look to it with all their senior players missing. The likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami will be playing in the WTC Final in the UK. After that, they will stay back for a five-match Test series.
Meanwhile, reports say that Shikhar Dhawan might lead the Indian ODI and T20I squads against Sri Lanka.
Also Read: Rahul Dravid ‘Thinking’ Over BCCI’s Offer To Coach Team India in Sri Lanka
