Mumbai: Former India cricketer Rahul Dravid is set to take over the BCCI’s National Cricket Academy (NCA), according to a Times of India report.
While his official designation has not yet been confirmed, the 46-year-old will be responsible for setting up the coaching staff at centres all over India.
"Rahul has been handling junior cricket for a while now and the results have been phenomenal. It's only natural that he had to get involved with affairs at the NCA (in the present position). Now, he's determined to bring about a complete turnaround at the academy. With the kind of vision he has, it's already a given now that this is his role until he decides to stay," a source was quoted saying to the Times of India.
“New physios, new trainers, a completely new structure will be set up. For all practical purposes, NCA will now be Rahul's baby," added the source.
The Dravid-coached India Under-19 cricket team won the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup and the ACC U-19 Asia Cup in 2018. He also coaches the India ‘A’ team.
The report also made it clear that one of Dravid’s role will be on training young cricketers as much as possible.
"He has simpler things in mind to start with. Rahul is clear that the emphasis, at all times, has to be on youngsters playing as many matches at possible. So, that's the first thing he's pitched for.
“Second, there used to be this process where if 20 youngsters would be shortlisted for NCA and 15 eventually picked, the remaining five-odd would be asked to return home. He wants that changed. Every youngster picked and shortlisted will continue to be at the NCA. The emphasis will be on playing as much quality cricket as possible," said the source.
