Dravid’s tenure yet to be decided; Pandya’s return expected in January 2024: BCCI Secretary Jay Shah

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) could have a dialog with Rahul Dravid concerning the period of his tenure as the top coach of the Indian group as soon as he returns after the tour of South Africa.

Last week, the BCCI gave Dravid an extension, however it didn’t specify the tenure, resulting in hypothesis on whether or not he would proceed after the T20 World Cup in June.

“We have given the extension but we are yet to finalise the contract. We did not get time at all, they finished (with the World Cup), I had a meeting with them and we agreed mutually that they would continue. We will sit down and decide once they return from South Africa,” Shah stated.

Hardik may return for Afghanistan sequence

The secretary additionally stated that Hardik Pandya, who’s in rehabilitation on the National Cricket Academy (NCA), may return to motion as early as January when India performs Afghanistan for a three-match T20I sequence.

“We are monitoring it on a day-to-day basis. He is at NCA only, he is working very hard and we will let you know in due course the moment he is fit. He could be fit before the Afghanistan series also,” Shah stated.

Hardik was dominated out of the World Cup after he suffered an ankle damage whereas trying to cease a shot off his supply in a bunch match in opposition to Bangladesh in Pune.

Pandya sits on the sector after getting injured through the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup one-day worldwide (ODI) matcha between India and Bangladesh on the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium.
| Photo Credit:
Okay.R Deepak / The Hindu

Mohammed Shami, who changed him within the first group, seized the chance and emerged as the very best wicket-taker within the event – claiming 24 wickets in seven video games. Shami, too, is nursing an ankle damage and is predicted to be match for the Tests in opposition to the Proteas.

Asked about Rohit Sharma’s future because the captain, the secretary stated, “What is the need to have clarity right now? It (T20 World Cup) is starting in June, we have the IPL before that and the series against Afghanistan…”

Road forward for Pink-ball Test

Over the final couple of years, groups haven’t featured in pink-ball Tests, and Shah stated that Boards want to debate and determine on the long run.

“We need to grow interest among people for pink-ball Test. In the past, the pink-ball Tests got over early, whereas Test matches should ideally continue for about 4-5 days. That’s what people want to watch. Once they get used to it, we will see how it goes,” he stated.

Representative Image: The BCCI Secretary stated that the Boards want to debate and determine on the way forward for pink-ball checks..
| Photo Credit:
Sportzpics for BCCI

“Not many teams have played pink-ball Test in recent times. We will gradually speak and decide. The CEO of the ECB is here, and we did speak about it. Hum dheere dheere baat karke karenge,” he stated.

New NCA, North-east academies to be opened in August

Shah stated that the brand new NCA campus in Bengaluru will probably be opened in August, together with the academies within the Northeast and Jammu and Kashmir.

“Midway through August, we’ll see academies opening up in Northeast and the new NCA in Bengaluru. And the work on Jammu and Kashmir academy has started,” Shah stated.