In an unexpected development in the early hours of Saturday morning, it has been learnt that former Indian captain and National Cricket Academy (NCA) head Rahul Dravid has accepted BCCI's offer to become the new head coach of Indian cricket team as Ravi Shastri will be making way after the T20 World Cup 2021.

As per a report by Times of India, during the IPL final, BCCI President Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah had a meeting with Dravid, and persuaded him to take up the responsibility of coaching Team India until the 2023 Cricket World Cup which will be hosted by India.

“Dravid has confirmed he will be the next head coach of the Indian team. He will be stepping down as the head of the NCA soon,” a top BCCI official told TOI.

The same report also claims Paras Mhambrey will be the new bowling coach, with no decision taken yet on fielding coach R Sridhar's replacement. Vikram Rathour is expected to continue as batting coach.

Dravid had recently coached India on the white-ball tour of Sri Lanka in the absence of the Test specialists who were busy preparing for their series against England in the UK.

It is reported that he will be given a two-year contract and will draw a salary of INR 10 crore. “He was re-appointed as the NCA head last month. But the BCCI needed a strong candidate to take Indian cricket forward. He has worked so hard to develop the next line of Indian cricketers. Even Mhambrey knows this next lot of players like the back of his hand.

So, Ganguly and Shah thought it would be best if they could bring both of them on board. They will assume charge from the New Zealand series after the World Cup,” the source added.

India will host New Zealand for 3 T20Is and 2 Tests after the T20 World Cup, before departing for the all-format tour of South Africa in December. It is expected Dravid and his team will take charge immediately as the New Zealand T20I series starts just two days after the T20 World Cup, should India qualify for the final.

(With Times of India inputs)