Rahul Dravid Skips India Under-19 Selection To Avoid Conflict Of Interest
Jun 15, 2017 at 1:12 PM
Rahul Dravid, the former coach of India A and Under-19 team, who was invited by BCCI to attend the selection meeting of India Under 19 for the tour to England next month skipped the selection meeting on Wednesday. As per the reports, Dravid wasn’t keen to attend the meeting as his contract had ended in the month of March earlier this year and with a former member of COA already raising questions over the dual role performed by a coach of the side, Dravid decided to give meeting a miss till the time is not given an official contract by the board.
“Dravid has informed BCCI that he won’t be attending selection committee meeting as he doesn’t want any controversy. Dravid contract is yet to be renewed and as he is no longer the coach of India Under 19 team. He said that it will be unfair on his part to attend the meeting without owning the job,” a BCCI source told The Indian Express.
The Under 19 side will travel to England for two four-day games followed by five one-day games starting next month and the BCCI will announce the squad for the tour on June 16 i.e. tomorrow. With Dravid keeping himself away from the meeting, Venkatesh Prasad led junior selection committee is expected to name a side without his advice.
The main reason behind Dravid keeping himself away from the meeting was due to the conflict of interest issues, according to which BCCI facilitated junior coaches to be with an IPL team, by offering them a contract of 10 months. However, in the latest meet of COA, it has been decided that from now, the junior coaches will not be allowed to be with an IPL side until the time they are in the role with a BCCI team.
Meanwhile, BCCI has invited applications for the post of coach of the India under-19 and Rahul Dravid has got a direct entry in this race, just like Anil Kumble was given a direct entry when BCCI invited for the post of Head Coach of Indian cricket team.
India Under 19 team will travel to England for two four-day games and five One-dayers next month on July 15.