The former India captain and current head of the National Cricket Academy, who handled the coaching responsibility for India’s tour of Sri Lanka, has expressed that he has not given a thought for a full-time job yet.
I have enjoyed this experience, I have not thought anything too far ahead. I am happy with what I am doing. I have not given anything any thought apart from this tour. There are a lot of challenges with doing a full-time role so I really do not know.
said Dravid during the virtual post-math press conference.
Dravid has previously coached the India U-19 team and the A teams before filling in for the coach’s role of Team India for the Sri Lanka tour.
After winning the ODI series against Sri Lanka by 2-1 under Dravid’s watch, India made a solid start to the T20I series winning the opening match by 38 runs. However, due to a COVID-19 outbreak in the squad, India were forced to rule out a bunch of first team players and go ahead with an unbalanced team for the remaining two matches.
The new and inexperienced batting order failed to stand up against a lethal Sri Lankan bowling attack resulting in a 1-2 series loss in the T20Is. Dravid was quick to back the youngsters as he called for being patient with them and to provide them with more opportunities.
I am not disappointed. They are young and they will have to learn and get better. It is only when they are exposed to these types of conditions and quality of bowling. We need to have patience with them and we need to give them more opportunities.
said Dravid.
Team India reached Colombo in the last week of June and played only six matches in a span of over a month. The ODI series was initially postponed by 5 days due to a coronavirus outbreak in the Sri Lankan camp as the T20I series also got marred by a COVID crisis in the Indian contingent as all-rounder Krunal Pandya tested positive right before the 2nd T20I.
Dravid admitted that the situation was tough and felt lucky to play cricket in times like these. He praised the leadership of the seniors – Shikhar Dhawan and Bhuvneshwar Kumar and admired the mentality of the players for “the way they handled the 45 days having only six matches to play.”
