Is Rahul Dravid set to return to coaching?
As England part ways with Brendon McCullum, India batting legend Dravid is reportedly among the leading candidates being considered by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to succeed the New Zealander as the head coach of the Test team.
While McCullum will no longer lead England’s Test side, he will continue as the head coach of the white-ball teams.
Dravid most recently coached India at the international level. During his tenure, India reached the final of the ICC World Test Championship and won the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Citing The Daily Telegraph, news agency PTI reported that although Dravid has no intention of taking up a full-time coaching role, working exclusively with the Test team would allow
him more time to be at home.
While there has been no official word on Dravid’s candidature, reports have also suggested that Andy Flower is the top contender to replace McCullum. The ECB is reportedly open to appointing a coach who also works in the IPL, which could allow the former Zimbabwe wicketkeeper-batter to continue in his current role with Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Flower previously served as England’s head coach, overseeing the team’s three Ashes series victories and guiding them to the No. 1 ranking in Test cricket.
Apart from Flower, Glamorgan head coach Richard Dawson, Sri Lanka legend Kumar Sangakkara, England Lions coach Andrew Flintoff, Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson and former Australia coach Justin Langer are also reportedly among the candidates.
ECB chief executive Richard Gould said he already has six to 10 names in mind.
“…there’s always a shortlist in place for all key jobs at the ECB, including my own,” Gould was quoted as saying by Cricinfo. “We need to be progressive in these issues. We’ve got players trying to balance between county, franchise, international cricket. It’s a really busy calendar. We may well have to do the same with our coaching staff and supporting staff; we already do, to an extent. But I think that is something that we will have to have a look at.”
