Rahul Dravid Is Not A Part Of Senior Team Owing To U-19, India A Commitments: Vinod Rai
Jul 22, 2017 at 7:43 PM
After lot has been said, witnessed and then understood, the most recent statement from the head of Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA), Vinod Rai on Saturday revealed Rahul Dravid, who has played a pivotal role in shaping up the youngsters of India cricket won’t be available as a member of the senior team led by Virat Kohli owing to the busy schedule of junior teams. (Read Here: Ravi Shastri Lashes Out At A Reporter On Being Asked About Rahul Dravid And Zaheer Khan).
“[Rahul] Dravid’s contract issues are all sorted. He has two-year full-time contract with India A and Under-19 side,” Rai was quoted as saying by PTI.
While clearing the air after a decisive meeting with the members of the BCCI, Rai reiterated that Dravid has had decided to stick up with the Under-19 and India A team for his role, following the due consideration, as he is focusing on to stay with the junior teams owing to the fresh obligations.
“[Rahul Dravid] He has said that he is not available for tours abroad (senior team). He does not want to hang around,” Rai added.
Following the dissension and the drama over the recent appointment of the head coach of BCCI, the ruckus has had soured the relationship between the national team administrators and the fans.
The former batsman Dravid was also recommended as a batting consultant by Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) as the three-member panel includes ex-skipper Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman.
However, Dravid has opted to continue while serving as a coach for the junior teams in the national setup, as his overseas batting consultant offer has turned out to be a mere recommendation when Ravi Shastri was appointed as the head coach, a post that was left vacant following Anil Kumble’s resignation.
As the Under-19 World Cup is scheduled in 2018, Dravid has to be with India A which has a series to play in the time to come.
However, Rai stated the committee has taken a stand to clear Zaheer Khan’s contract, as the former bowler is led the Indian Premier League franchise Delhi Daredevils.
“We can’t just tell Zaheer okay we give you a three month or three week contract and these are conditions. We have to also look into his IPL contract, media commitments,” Rai maintained.
According to the latest reports, the Delhi-born left-arm fast bowler Zaheer is expected to join the team as a consultant for South Africa, according to the national board’s CEO Rahul Johri.
“Ravi [Shastri] is in touch with Zaheer. In any case, he will be available not before South Africa series,” Johri asserted.
Rai added they are working in tandem to have Zaheer Khan as a part of the proposal for the longer term while adding the board can have the fast bowler when they would be a contract on an offer, as he is the part of the fresh scheme of things.