IND vs IRE: Rahul Dravid announces his shocking India exit in the middle of T20 World Cup 2024

Head coach Rahul Dravid made a massive statement on his future as coach with India National Cricket Team. He confirmed that the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 will be his last tournament with the Rohit Sharma-led side.

Rahul Dravid’s stint as the head coach of the India National Cricket Team is all set to end after the T20 World Cup 2024. His contract will expire after the tournament and to take the position again, he needs to reapply for the post.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has invited applications for the head coach of the team and they have received many applications for the same. There were hints that Rahul Dravid won’t be continuing but now it has been confirmed too.

Rahul Dravid ahead of India’s first game against Ireland in the T20 World Cup 2024, addressed the press conference. The India head coach revealed that he won’t be part of the team after the ongoing tournament as he won’t be reapplying for the post of the team. "This is my last tournament," Rahul Dravid said.

Rahul Dravid joined the Indian team after the exit of Ravi Shastri. He had a decent outing with the team as under his coaching tenure, the team reached the semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2022, the finals of the ICC World Test Championship, and the ICC World Cup 2023.

On the Test cricket front, India were dominant under Rahul Dravid, they won all the home series and produced sensational performances overseas. Under him, India drew the Test series against South Africa as well and defeated West Indies, and Bangladesh in their backyard.

Rahul Dravid now would be keen to end his stint as the head coach of Team India on high. He would be eager to guide India to glory in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. The team will open their campaign against Ireland on 5th June at the New York.

We don't want to reveal - Rahul Dravid on India’s opening combination

One of the major talking points ahead of India’s first game is what will be the opening combination for the team in the first game against Ireland. More debates followed when Yashavi Jaiswal didn’t come to open with Rohit Sharma in the warmup game.

This gives a hint that India might promote Virat Kohli to open the innings. The batter looked in terrific touch with the bat during the IPL 2024. While opening the batting for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, he scored 741 runs.

Rahul Dravid was asked about the same and he didn’t reveal the combination for the opening game. He said that Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal are there but they also have Virat Kohli so everything is on the cards. He added:

"We don't want to reveal much but we have Rohit and Jaiswal, Virat has also opened in IPL so everything is on the cards.”

Opening with Virat Kohli might allow India to get the combination that they want. It remains to be seen who will partner Rohit Sharma at the top in the T20 World Cup 2024.