Will Rahul Dravid continue as India head coach after World Cup? Batting legend doesn't give direct answer

Both the Indian cricket team and their millions of fans were left heartbroken yet again after the Men in Blue fell short in yet another ICC event with a six-wicket defeat against Australia in the World Cup final on Sunday.

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While a majority of fans would still be reeling from the disappointment of the defeat that will have worsened the Monday blues, few would have noticed the fact that the position of head coach of the India men’s cricket team is up for grabs once again.

Former India captain and batting icon Rahul Dravid’s tenure in that role officially came to an end a day after India’s runner-up finish in the 13th edition of the ICC’s showpiece event on Sunday, and it’s not known whether the BCCI will be renewing his contract or not.

Dravid was also quizzed on the same by a couple of reporters during the post-match press conference, but he shied away from giving a direct answer on his future as head coach.

“I haven’t thought about it. I’ve just come off a game. I had no time to think about this and no time to reflect on this. Yeah, I will when I get the time to do that.

“At this point of time, I was completely focused on this campaign and there was nothing else on my mind. And I haven’t given any other thought to what happens in the future,” Dravid told reporters on Sunday night.

Read | ‘Lot of emotions in Indian dressing room. Tough to see as a coach’: Dravid

Dravid took over as the head coach from Ravi Shastri around the same time Rohit became captain in all three formats during a turbulent time. Shastri’s successful four-year run in the role had come to an end in disappointing fashion in the 2021 T20 World Cup, which was also Kohli’s last as T20I captain. Kohli would later resign from Test captaincy after a series defeat in the tour of South Africa, and had been unceremoniously demoted from the role in ODIs.

The Rohit-Rahul pair have since led India to a semi-final finish in last year’s T20 World Cup in Australia and a dominant victory in this year’s Asia Cup in Pakistan and Sri Lanka, besides the runner-up finish in the World Cup.

However, Dravid, who had previously had an impactful run as India A and U-19 coach, refrained from analysing his tenure as head coach.

“To be honest, I am not really someone who’s going to judge and analyse myself. I was really proud to work with. I think the players that I worked with over the last two years in all the formats, it’s been a privilege,” ‘Jammy’ added.

Dravid also remained dismissive on continuing in the role in next year’s T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and the United States.

“Honestly, I haven’t thought about it. I think all our campaign, all our energies were focused on this match, focused on this tournament, and focused till here. And I haven’t actually given it any thought or I have no plans, I have had no plans of what’s going to happen in the future.”

Read | India didn’t win World Cup, but Rohit’s blueprint is the way forward

India have not won an ICC event for more than a decade now and both fans and experts would have backed the Rohit Sharma-led side to end that long wait, especially after their dominant performances throughout the group stage as well as in the semi-final.

However, Australia highlighted once again as to why they are such a fearsome entity when it comes to the big matches, executing their plans to perfection to win a record-extending sixth world title.

Skipper Pat Cummins led from the front with a spell of 2/36 from 10 overs while Mitchell Starc collected 3 for 55 as Australia bowled India out for 240.

Travis Head, who nearly did not feature in the squad due to a broken hand in September, would later become only the third Australian to score a century in the World Cup final, slamming a 120-ball 137 to turn the chase into a cakewalk after the Aussies found themselves in a spot of bother at 47/3.