I Will Be Very Disappointed If Rahul Dravid Won't Be Head coach And MS Dhoni Not A Mentor After Ravi Shastri's Era: MSK Prasad

Former Indian national chief selector MSK Prasad wants to see former Indian captains Rahul Dravid and MS Dhoni in the Indian team management once Ravi Shastri’s tenure ends this year.

Shastri, who was appointed as India’s head coach in 2017, got reappointed after the 2019 World Cup and will stay with the team till the completion of the T20 World Cup in November.

The 59-year-old Shastri is unlikely to extend his stint with the Indian team for an additional year given that the limited age for a person to stay in the role of India head coach should not be above 60.

MS Dhoni has to come into the role of a mentor and Rahul Dravid as a coach: MSK Prasad

National Cricket Academy Director of Cricket Operations Rahul Dravid is the most favoured name doing the rounds to succeed Shastri as Team India‘s head coach.

But the former Indian player reapplied for the position of head of cricket at NCA in August which ruled out the possibility of him taking over as the new coach.

Chennai Super Kings skipper MS Dhoni has been appointed as the Indian team’s mentor for the T20 World Cup. MSK Prasad wants to see the combination of Dravid and Dhoni in the upcoming Indian team management.

“In my heart, I had this feeling. I was challenged recently by my colleagues that definitely post Ravi bhai’s (Shastri) era, MS has to come into the role of a mentor and Rahul Dravid as a coach. These were the discussions I had with my fellow commentators while I was doing commentary during the IPL. I had a feeling that Rahul, being the studious person that he is, will add value to Team India post Ravi bhai’s era,” Prasad told Sports Tak.

Rahul Dravid as a coach, MS Dhoni as a mentor is going to be a boon for Indian cricket: MSK Prasad

Dravid was India’s head coach during their Sri Lanka tour in July and he also was the coach of the Prithvi Shaw-led Indian team that won the ICC U-19 World Cup in 2018.

Dhoni is at the peak of his IPL career where he can be seen not just leading the team but also grooming the young and talented players under his belt. MSK Prasad said that he would be disappointed to not see Dravid and Dhoni in the Indian team management after Ravi Shastri’s period ends.

“Rahul as a coach, MS as a mentor is going to be a boon for Indian cricket. Both are cool and calm customers and one person is very studious and hard-working. More importantly, the number of players that are evolving right now have been groomed by Rahul, who was India A coach also. So it is some wonderful planning that is happening. I will be very disappointed if Rahul is not going to be the coach and MS not a mentor post this management’s era,” Prasad said.

India will play their opening match of the T20 World Cup against arch-rivals Pakistan on October 24 at the Dubai International Stadium.

Also Read: Aakash Chopra Believes Rahul Dravid Might Not Press On Replacing Ravi Shastri As India Coach