The Indian team management is set to undergo an overhaul and if discussions are to be believed, current head coach Anil Kumble could be elevated as the team’s team director, while India under-19 coach Rahul Dravid may replace him as coach, The New Indian Express reported.
The report stated that the ongoing series between India and Australia could be Kumble’s last assignment as coach with him likely to take over as team director as early as April 14.
The BCCI Committee of Administrators had met with Kumble on the sidelines of the BCCI Awards in Bengaluru on Wednesday. The COA led by former CAG Vinod Rai spoke with Kumble as well as assistant coaches R Sridhar and Sanjay Bangar during the meeting. The former India spinner was asked to prepare a detailed report.
“We need to move ahead with the times and that is why these structural changes are looked at.” a source was quoted as saying. “If it happens, Indian cricket will benefit, as one person will handle all the teams and there will be better coordination between all concerned. The plan is already in place and there is a strong possibility that when new contracts are given out, these changes will be made.”
“It is too early to say whether Kumble will take up the role or not. Being the coach and team director (with new responsibility) is no easy thing as it needs a lot of dedicated time. The amount of cricket we play might burn him out. If he doesn’t, we need the back-up as we can’t let the team getting affected, particularly with the Champions Trophy coming up,” the source added.