5 Potential Candidates Who Can Replace Ravi Shastri If He Quits As Team India's Head Coach

Indian head coach Ravi Shastri is likely to step away from his role after the culmination of the ICC T20 World Cup in November. If the reports published in the media are to be believed then Shastri has already conveyed the same to BCCI’s top brass.

Shastri, who took over the role of Indian head coach in 2017, has led the senior team to consecutive Test series triumphs in Australia. Besides this, India also qualified for the semi-final of the 2019 World Cup and the finals of the inaugural ICC World Test Championship.

So, assuming Shastri steps down from his role, then who are the likely candidates who can replace him?

Here’s a look at 5 Potential Candidates Who Can Replace Ravi Shastri If He Quits As Team India’s Head Coach

Tom Moody

The former Australian all-rounder and a two-time World Cup-winner, Tom Moody is one of the shrewdest minds in the game.

Moody, who led Sri Lanka to the final of the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean, boasts of an impressive resume that includes coaching stints in the IPL, BPL, CPL, and the PSL.

Moody was appointed ‘Director of Sri Lankan Cricket’ earlier this year but given the fact that he has been applying for the Indian teams’ coaching role for a good decade and a half, one can expect the former Australian cricketer to once again throw his hat in the ring if Ravi Shastri decides to step-down.

Mahela Jayawardene

Jayawardene may not have won the World Cup with Sri Lanka when he was the captain but it is safe to say that the former charismatic batter is one of the best actually shrewd captains that the island nation has ever produced.

Jayawardene has emulated the same qualities in his coaching career. The former Sri Lankan skipper has coached Mumbai Indians to an unprecedented three titles in his four-year stint and his reputation as a coach has parachuted in the past few years.

Mike Hesson

Brandon McCullum is widely credited with the whirlwind transformation of New Zealand cricket in the early 2010s.

However, one should also give credit to the man-management skills of Mike Hesson, who was the head coach of New Zealand at the time.

One can also notice the difference in the Royal Challengers Bangalore set-up ever since Hesson has taken up the role of Director.

Moreover, Virat Kohli enjoys a good relationship with Mike Hesson and this could be in favor of the latter if he decides to throw his hat in the ring for Team India’s head coach post.

Trevor Bayliss

A slightly left-field choice but Trevor Bayliss does boast of an impressive resume as head coach in both the international circuit as well as in the IPL.

Bayliss played a key role in England’s transformation from perennial strugglers to world champions in the 50-over format.

In the IPL, Bayliss, who is currently the head coach of SunRisers Hyderabad, has led Kolkata Knight Riders to triumphs in the past.

Rahul Dravid

The most obvious and likely candidate to step up and replace Ravi Shastri is former Indian skipper Rahul Dravid

Dravid has long been earmarked as the future coach of the senior Indian team.

The former Indian skipper has previously coached the Indian U-19/A teams besides serving as the head of the NCA.

Dravid stepped up as the head coach of the Shikhar Dhawan-led team which toured Sri Lanka for three ODIs and as many T20Is last month.

Should Shastri decides to step away, Rahul Dravid will most likely be the natural successor.

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