'Rahul Dravid is going to come with long-term vision': Aakash Chopra on Dravid's appointment as India coach

Cricketer-turned-expert Aakash Chopra believes the likely appointment of Rahul Dravid as the India head coach is not a short-term project and will bring a blueprint for the team's growth for the next 5-10 years. The former India captain is a front runner to replace Ravi Shastri as the coach of the team after the conclusion of the 20-20 World Cup.

Dravid initially had reservations to take up the coaching offer but later agreed to apply for post, which was put on advertisement by BCCI secretary Jay Shah.

The BCCI are keen on having Dravid as the head coach for a minimum of two years till 2023. Speaking on his Youtube channel, the former India opening batter believes Dravid will bring a process to make India become even more successful.

"So, what can Rahul Dravid do? I think he'll bring a process. See, the Indian team is already very successful, it's not like they are not doing well. You are defeating Australia in Australia, you have the ability to defeat England in England, you are capable of becoming World Champions, you are at the top of the Test rankings for the last five years. With Rahul Dravid, I see a blueprint for the next five years. He's not going to come with a short-term vision but he'll come with a blueprint for Indian cricket for the next five or ten years."

Chopra further opined that the former India captain will form a solid partnership with Rohit Sharma, who is reportedly the prime candidate to succeed Virat Kohli as the T20I captain.

"...We can see a pair of 'R' and 'R' - Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma - for white-ball cricket and Rahul Dravid with Virat Kohli for Test matches. It's going to be very interesting."

Dravid is currently the director of the National Cricket Academy (NCA). If he grabs the role of India coach, he will have to resign from his post of NCA head. The BCCI is keenly looking for a suitable candidate to take over from Dravid as NCA director.