Picture Credit: BCCI
When India begin their white-ball tour of Sri Lanka on July 12, it will be the first time in history that two separate Indian cricket teams will be in two different parts of the world at the same time. While the Virat Kohli-led Indian side is in England ahead of the five-match Test series against the hosts, a Shikhar Dhawan-led limited-overs squad which is full of youngsters and fresh faces will be playing three ODIs and three T20Is against Sri Lanka.
Furthermore, even a separate coaching staff is being sent with the team. While head coach Ravi Shastri is with the senior boys in the UK, Rahul Dravid has been handed the responsibility of the young guns. Former India cricketer Reetinder Singh Sodhi feels that Dravid’s appointment as an interim head coach can be an indication of what is to come ahead.
Notably, with Ravi Shastri’s contract coming to an end with the conclusion of the T20 World Cup later this year, Sodhi believes that Dravid can well be the new Indian coach which is the reason he has been trusted with this job for now.
Dravid's temporary appointment a clear indication that he is in line to be the next head coach: Sodhi
"First of all, we have to acknowledge that Ravi Shastri has done a great job as a coach. And yes, his contract is coming to an end. But let’s think about it… a temporary arrangement and that too Rahul Dravid?" Sodhi told India News Sports.
"I think it’s virtually impossible. If he is going to Sri Lanka as the head coach, somewhere it’s a clear indication that he is in line. If there’s anyone that can replace Ravi Shastri as coach, that person in Rahul Dravid," he added.
It would be interesting to see if Shastri’s contract gets renewed or Sodhi’s prediction indeed proves to be true.