NEW DELHI: As the ODI World Cup in India was soon followed by Australia T20I series and now the South Africa tour set to begin from Sunday, BCCI secretary Jay Shah on Saturday said that the final decision on head coach Rahul Dravid‘s new tenure will be taken after the team returns from the Rainbow Nation.
Dravid’s contract as head coach ended after the World Cup but the legendary batter verbally agreed to a contract extension after the tournament.
In the meantime, NCA head VVS Laxman was incharge of the Indian team for the Australia T20I series at home.
Shah elaborated as turnaround time between World Cup and South Africa tour was short, Dravid and his team’s extension couldn’t be formalised.
“We have given the extension but we are yet to finalise the contract. We did not get time at all, they finished (with the World Cup). I had a meeting with them (Dravid & Co.) and we agreed mutually that they will continue. We will sit down and decide once they return from South Africa,” the secretary said.
Hardik might play Afghanistan T20Is
With injured Hardik Pandya currently undergoing rehabilitation at the NCA, Shah said that the all-rounder could get fit for next month’s T20I series against Afghanistan.
During the World Cup, Hardik had torn ligament of his left ankle while trying to stop the ball off his own bowling during a match against Bangladesh in Pune. The injury ruled him out of the remainder of the tournament.
“We are monitoring it on a day-to-day basis. He is at NCA only, he is working very hard and we will let you know in the due course the moment he is fit. He could be fit before the Afghanistan series also,” Shah said.
Dravid’s contract as head coach ended after the World Cup but the legendary batter verbally agreed to a contract extension after the tournament.
In the meantime, NCA head VVS Laxman was incharge of the Indian team for the Australia T20I series at home.
Shah elaborated as turnaround time between World Cup and South Africa tour was short, Dravid and his team’s extension couldn’t be formalised.
“We have given the extension but we are yet to finalise the contract. We did not get time at all, they finished (with the World Cup). I had a meeting with them (Dravid & Co.) and we agreed mutually that they will continue. We will sit down and decide once they return from South Africa,” the secretary said.
Hardik might play Afghanistan T20Is
With injured Hardik Pandya currently undergoing rehabilitation at the NCA, Shah said that the all-rounder could get fit for next month’s T20I series against Afghanistan.
During the World Cup, Hardik had torn ligament of his left ankle while trying to stop the ball off his own bowling during a match against Bangladesh in Pune. The injury ruled him out of the remainder of the tournament.
“We are monitoring it on a day-to-day basis. He is at NCA only, he is working very hard and we will let you know in the due course the moment he is fit. He could be fit before the Afghanistan series also,” Shah said.
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(With inputs from PTI)
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