The Cricket Board of India (BCCI) on Wednesday appointed former captain Rahul Dravid as the head coach of the Indian men's cricket team. The announcement was fully expected as the legendary batsman was persuaded by the top officials of the board.

Dravid, who is serving as the head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA), has been appointed to the post for two years till the 50-over World Cup to be held in India in 2023. He will be responsible for the position from the upcoming home series against New Zealand starting on November 17.

Dravid, who played for India legend, was the first choice of BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah, who spoke to him in Dubai to persuade him to apply for the post.

Dravid said, “It is an honor to be appointed as the new head coach of the Indian cricket team and I am ready for this responsibility. He also thanked his predecessor Shastri for his role in taking the current Indian team to this point.

He has been closely watching the progress of the U-19 A teams and then the entry of players into the senior team. Hardik Pandya's bowling flourished under his supervision at the NCA while Rishabh Pant, Ishaan Kishan, Hanuma Vihari, Prithvi Shaw, Shubman Gill were at one point or the other.

He talked about his goals which include doing well in the T20 World Cup in Australia and the 50-over World Cup in India in 2023. “There are some big tournaments for many teams to be played in the next two years and I am going to the best of my ability, he said.

Ganguly said, “Rahul has had a wonderful career as a player and he is one of the greats of the game. He has also served Indian cricket as the head of the NCA.

I hope that his new tenure will take Indian cricket to new heights." Having trouble is important, he said.

Tags :Sourav GangulyKl rahulRahul DravidRavi Shastri