Rahul Dravid was the first choice of the selection panel to become the Indian head coach. In 2017 when Anil Kumble stepped down as the coach the CoA approached Dravid for the role. However, the former cricketer turned down the order to spend time with his family.
Vinod Rai, Chairman of the Committee of Administrators, recently revealed that Dravid was very upfront regarding his decision. Dravid told Rai that during his playing days he used to travel a lot with the Indian team that meant he was away from his family. With two growing boys at home, Dravid gave priority to his family and refused the offer.
Dravid didn’t want to coach India – Vinod Rai
“Rahul was very upfront with us. He said look I have two boys growing up at home and I have been travelling with the Indian team all over the world and I am not able to give time and attention to them, I think I must stay at home also.
And give time to my family.’ I think that was a very fair request and though he would have been uppermost in mind. So, he was very much in the zone of consideration,” Rai told SportsKeeda.
Vinod Rai also revealed that Rahul Dravid was keen on continuing to coach the under-19 Indian team. The former India skipper had created a road map for the U-19 boys and the team was producing fantastic results under his guidance.
Dravid last year was appointed the post of the head coach at National Cricket Academy chief (NCA) and Rai stated that he was very happy to accept the role.
“We definitely talked to Rahul. He was engaged with the Under-19 team and he was involved with them. Rahul had developed a road map on how to develop a team. He was bringing out fantastic results. He wanted to continue because he felt that there were some unfinished tasks with that team and he wanted to do it”.
“Look, in terms of potential for coaching, Dravid, Shastri and Kumble are the best in the business. Dravid is now a head coach at NCA. He was very kind and very gracious in accepting that and committing himself to the NCA,” said Rai.