The Potential Ravi Shastri Successor- Shastri’s contract as the head coach of the Indian team was supposed to get expired after the ODI World Cup of 2019. However, after an extension till the 2021 T20 World Cup, Ravi Shastri had now reached the final months of his tenure. Going through Shastri’s resume that now contains holding the Test Mane for a longer period of time, reaching the semi-finals of an ODI World Cup, winning the Asia Cup and also a Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.
Appointed by the Cricket Advisory Committee comprising of former players Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman, the 1983 World Cup-winning batsman has significantly contributed towards the growth of Indian cricket on and off the field.
With Ravi Shastri still in contention for a new contract here are five other fittings for the post of the Head coach of the Indian team:
5) Mahela Jayawardene
That century in the 2011 World Cup finals seemed like the highest point in Mahela Jayawardene’s career, but the former Sri Lankan skipper just recently held his third IPL trophy with the Mumbai Indians. A propagator of elegance as a batsman. Mahela has also become a coach who knows how to push the players, so they reach their full potential.
His understanding of the Indian players owing to a coaching stint in IPL since 2017, makes Jayawardene a premier candidate for the Indian coach’s job. The understanding with key Indian players- Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya is just an add on.
4) Rahul Dravid
With a cool head in Dhoni missing from the national scene at the moment. Virat’s side would be delighted to have another cool mind in Rahul Dravid to coach them. Dravid has been busy with the U-19 team duties and has excelled at the job. It was under Rahul Dravid’s guidance that Prithvi Shaw’s team won and Priyam Garg’s team reached the finals of consecutive U-19 World Cups.
The former Indian captain not only understands the young blood of the Indian team but also carried some experience in tight situations owing to his stints with Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Daredevils in the IPL.
