This former Indian cricketer likely to replace Ravi Shastri as Team India Head Coach

With the tenure of Ravi Shastri, the current India Cricket Team Head coach, coming to an end there have been a speculation about who would be the most suitable candidate to replace Shastri. With some other big names in the competition, Vikram Rathour’s name is coming out as the favourite to get the job. Vikram Rathour is currently the batting coach of team India. He joined the team when the former batting coach stepped down from the position after the 2019 World Cup.

Vikram Rathore Top Contender to replace Ravi Shastri

According to the sources, which are close to BCCI, it has been reported that Rathour is the front runner to be the next Head coach of team India. Shastri’s tenure comes to an end after the conclusion of the T20 World Cup later in the year. He has already made it clear to the BCCI that he won’t continue after the termination of his current contract. Hence, the position of the Head coach would be vacant after Shastri’s exit. Meanwhile, the suggestions of the names to replace Shastri have already started coming in.

Vijay Lokapally, a well known Indian sport journalist and author tweeted on Sunday regarding what he was hearing about the Head coach position. He also wrote that Rathour is a good choice for the position.

A prominent name I am hearing for the position of India’s next chief cricket coach 👇
Vikram Rathour
Good choice ! pic.twitter.com/gsSYh0o1MI

— Vijay Lokapally 🇮🇳 (@vijaylokapally) August 22, 2021

Rahul Dravid Can’t Become India’s Next Head Coach

It was earlier being said that the BCCI is happy with Rahul Dravid’s performance as the Head Coach of 2nd string Indian team. Hence, it was being speculated that the board would like to hand over the senior team duties to Dravid. But now, after Rahul Dravid’s re-application for the Director position of the NCA, it’s clear that it won’t happen. Dravid’s tenure as the NCA Director was about to end and hence the BCCI had invited applications for the job. Dravid’s application made it clear that he is happy to stay back at the National Cricket Academy.

Vikram Rathour therefore becomes the most suitable candidate to be the next head coach. Rathour is close to the team and is familiar with the team environment. Having good relations with the Indian Captain would be another plus-point for the current batting coach. It’s clear now that Rathour would be having an upper hand over any other candidate who applies for the position. It can be said that Rahul Dravid’s exit has made the way clear for Rathour in order to be the next Head Coach.

ALSO READ: Gautam Gambhir predicts two finalists of 2021 ICC T20 World Cup

Vikram Rathour has played six Test matches and seven ODIs for Team India from 1996-97. The 52-year old is famous for his first-class numbers, he made 1473 runs with an average of 49.66 in 146 matches. In the test matches, Rathour had an average of 13.10 with 44 as his highest score. Whereas in the ODIs, Rathour’s average is a bit better with 27.57 that includes two fifties.