Rahul Dravid: From Team India to IPL Mentor? Exploring the Possibilities

Reports suggest that Rahul Dravid, the current head coach of the Indian cricket team, is in discussions with IPL franchise Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). If negotiations succeed, Dravid could potentially become the mentor for LSG in the upcoming IPL 2024 season. However, this hinges on the outcome of talks between Dravid and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Dravid’s tenure as India’s head coach officially concluded with the conclusion of the ODI World Cup. Initially appointed after the T20 World Cup in 2021 for a two-year contract, his term saw India’s rise to the No.1 rank in all three formats, despite not securing an ICC trophy. While India displayed exceptional performance in bilateral series, they fell short in the World Cup final against Australia.

The BCCI is expected to engage in a meeting with Dravid to discuss his future plans. However, Dravid is reportedly unlikely to seek an extension as he desires to spend more time with his family, a challenge given the demanding schedule and constant travel associated with the head coach role.

Dainik Jagran reports that Dravid is also in talks with Rajasthan Royals, a franchise with which he had a longstanding association as a player and captain, even serving as their mentor. However, at present, LSG appears to be the frontrunner for securing Dravid as their mentor.

In the event Dravid decides against an extension, VVS Laxman, the current head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA), emerges as a strong contender for the position of India’s head coach. Laxman, having previously stepped into Dravid’s role during breaks, is viewed favorably by the BCCI due to his familiarity with the system and his current role as the interim coach for the T20I series against Australia.