Sitanshu Kotak and Paras Mhambrey have replaced Rahul Dravid as a head coach of India A and U-19 respectively. Rahul Dravid is appointed as the head of cricket in National Cricket Academy after the reshuffling of supporting staff for Juniors.
Rahul will work on the academy to grow and allow young players to grab the new opportunities. But when he feels necessary, he is free to travel for India A or U-19 tours.
BCCI declined to do any official announcement reason being it is an internal reshuffling.
“There will be no formal announcements on this as all these people are NCA staff and this is an internal rejigging,” a BCCI official told PTI.
Former Saurashtra captain Sitanshu Kotak led India A team as a batting coach in a recent match against West Indies A. He played 130 first-class and 89 List A matches. Rahul Dravid was impressed by his coaching style and wanted him to continue the role.
Paras Mhambrey replaces Rahul Dravid in U19 head coach; Ramesh Powar replaces Paras Mhambrey as India A bowling coach
Paras Mhambrey, former India seamer, has worked under Dravid as bowling coach of India A for past three years. Now the former off-spinner Ramesh Powar will take his place. Powar has played two Test matches and 31 ODIs for India and was also chief coach of woman’s national team. He was in the news because of the argument with Mithali Raj, captain of the woman’s cricket team in ODI.
T Dilip will be the fielding coach of India A team. Hrishikesh Kanitkar will be the batting coach of the U-19.
Kotak and Powar’s appointment is for only South Africa A tour in India which has started today. Mahmbery and Abhay Sharm will continue to coach the U-19 team for Asia Cup.
U-19 Asia cup will start from 5 September in Sri Lanka and Dhruv Chand Jurel will lead the India U19 side. Its final will be on 14th September.
Rahul Dravid will work for NCA on the upgradation program of coaching pattern.