Former India skipper Rahul Dravid has reapplied for the post of Head of Cricket at the National Cricket Academy, PTI reported on Wednesday (August 18).

Earlier this month, BCCI had invited applications for the position of NCA cricket head, currently held by Dravid. Subsequently, it was speculated that he might replace Ravi Shastri as head coach of the senior national side after the T20 World Cup in November.

See Also: Ravi Shastri and support staff to part ways with Indian team after T20 World Cup - Report

With Dravid’s decision to re-register for the job, the speculations about him becoming India’s chief coach should come to an end.

Notably, BCCI had to invite applications since Dravid's two-year contract had ended. As per the new constitution, there is no provision for extension and the hiring process has to start afresh.

"Yes, Rahul has reapplied for the post of Head of Cricket. You don't need to be a genius to guess that he is going to continue after the tremendous work he has put in to change the face of NCA, which is now truly a centre of excellence," a senior BCCI source privy to the development told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

"In fact, as of now, save Rahul, there are no other prominent names of stature who have applied for the post."

According to the report, the Indian board has decided to extend the deadline for submission of applications by a few more days to ensure that interested candidates get ample time to apply.

"BCCI brass has decided to extend the deadline from August 15 by a few more days. When Rahul is in fray, everyone knows that there is little meaning in applying for the post. It's more of a formality but yeah to be fair, a few more days are there if anyone feels that he would like to throw his hat in the ring," the source added.

Rahul Dravid recently travelled to Sri Lanka with the senior Indian team as a head coach. However, he expressed his apprehensions about taking up a full-time role with the national side.

“I have enjoyed the experience of working with these guys, it has been great. I have not given any other thoughts to anything else. There are a lot of challenges in doing full-time roles, so I really don’t know,” Dravid had said last month.

Now, his reapplication confirms that he still wants to serve Indian cricket by being at the helm of affairs at NCA.

(With PTI inputs)