BCCI to discuss long-term contract extension with Rahul Dravid post South Africa tour

The BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) will ponder over extending head coach Rahul Dravid’s contract following the end of India’s upcoming all-format away series in South Africa. Notably, Dravid’s tenure came to an end at the end of the ODI World Cup 2023. However, the BCCI recently extended his contract till the T20 World Cup 2024 scheduled to be played in the West Indies in June.

BCCI secretary Jay Shah recently revealed the reason behind Dravid’s sudden contract extension saying that the Board didn’t have much time to name an interim coach in such a short time. The board will further decide on the longevity of his tenure once the team returns from South Africa in January 2024.

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“We did not have time. We met with them and mutually agreed that he can continue. Once they return from South Africa, we will sit with him and decide on the tenure,” BCCI secretary Jay Shah was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

Further speaking ahead, Shah also stated that captain Rohit Sharma’s place in the T20 World Cup 2024 is still not certain and they will take a decision after the Afghanistan series in January and the IPL 2024.

Shah also gave an update on Hardik Pandya’s fitness saying that he’s being monitored on a day-to-day basis and can be fit before the Afghanistan series.

Hardik can be fit even before the Afghanistan series: Jay Shah

“The tournament (Twenty20 World Cup) starts in June. There’s the IPL before that and the series against Afghanistan. We will take a good decision. He (Hardik) is being monitored on a day-to-day basis. He’s at the NCA. He’s working hard. We will let you know in due course. He can be fit even before the Afghanistan series,” he revealed. 

Notably, Pandya has been out of action since India’s group fixture against Bangladesh in the ODI World Cup 2023 played on October 19 in Pune. The all-rounder hurt his ankle while trying to stop a boundary off his own bowling.

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The BCCI Secretary also gave an update on Mohammed Shami’s fitness and was confident of his recovery in time for the Test series against South Africa beginning from December 26. Notably, Shami had been suffering from an ankle injury since the ODI World Cup 2023. However, it didn’t affect his performance as he finished as the leading wicket-taker of the tournament with 24 wickets to his name.

“Shami should be ready for the South Africa series. He is not at the NCA yet but will go there soon. We are confident he will recover in time,” said Shah.