'There’s no confirmation, I only read it in newspapers': Sourav Ganguly on Rahul Dravid’s appointment as India head coach

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Sourav Ganguly has rubbished the reports of Dravid being finalised as the Indian head coach. Ever since Ravi Shatri announced that he will step down from the post after the 20-20 World Cup, reports of Dravid taking over started doing rounds. Recently, few reports suggested that Dravid too has agreed to the role and will succeed Ravi Shatri after the showpiece event. “There’s no confirmation, I only read it in the newspapers. There is due process. It has been advertised. If he wants to apply, then he will,” Ganguly said on the ‘Salaam Cricket’ show, Aaj Tak.

Certain reports also stated that Ganguly and Shah had a meeting with Dravid during the IPL and convinced him to take up coaching. However, Ganguly said he met Dravid to discuss the future of NCA. “Right now, he is the director of NCA. He came to meet us in Dubai to talk about NCA. How to take it forward. We all believe NCA has a big role in developing the future of Indian cricket. NCA creates the next generation of Indian cricketers. So, he wanted to discuss that,” Ganguly added.

Dravid had earlier rejected the role of India head coach citing workload concerns. It remains to be seen if Dravid takes up the role this time around.

“We had a chat with him earlier too on whether he wants to take up the coaching role of the senior side but he didn’t seem that interested. His stand is pretty much the same even now. He asked for some time. Let’s see what happens,” Ganguly said.