Former India batter likely to replace Rahul Dravid as coach for ODI series against South Africa

After the World Cup 2023 final debacle, there have been several changes that have gone under the working of Indian cricket. Earlier, there was a decision taken that there would be three different captains for all three formats. Now, in an interesting turn of events, reports reveal that Rahul Dravid is unlikely to be the coach of the Indian side for the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa starting Sunday. 

Also, as per reports, India's head coach will shift his focus to overseeing preparations for the upcoming two-match Test series by joining the Test squad. Dravid is set to monitor the proceedings of a three-day inter-squad match commencing on December 20 in Pretoria. This will be the second tour game for the Indian side which is anticipated to include key Test team members, including captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravichandran Ashwin. Notably, this marks their first return to the squad since the World Cup 2023 final.

Alongside Dravid, his entire support staff, including batting coach Vikram Rathour, bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, and fielding coach T Dilip, will be also absent from the three-match ODI series coinciding with the red-ball inter-squad match. The ODIs are scheduled for the 17th, 19th, and 21st, with the first Test commencing on the 26th.

Sitanshu Kotak to take responsibility as India’s head coach

VVS Laxman will not step in as the replacement for Dravid as India's head coach for the ODI series. Instead, former batter Sitanshu Kotak who is also a member of India's National Cricket Academy (NCA) and recent batting coach for the senior Indian side in the T20I series against Australia will take on the role. Kotak is already in South Africa as the coach of the India A side, with support from other India A coaches Ajay Ratra (fielding) and Rajib Dutta (bowling).

As per the report, Kohli, Ashwin, Bumrah, Navdeep Saini, and Harshit Rana (a part of the A team) departed for South Africa on Friday. The skipper Rohit Sharma was seen at the Mumbai airport on Friday night. Mohammed Shami's availability for the Test series remains uncertain as he was provisionally named in the Test squad. The two Tests are scheduled to take place in Centurion and Cape Town. Following the South Africa tour, India is set to engage in three T20Is against Afghanistan at home, followed by a five-match Test series against England.