BCCI president Sourav Ganguly revealed he got a phone call from ex-India cricketer Rahul Dravid's son before appointing him as the head coach of the Indian cricket team. Ganguly joked that Dravid being too strict with his son was the reason for his appointment as India senior men's team head coach.

Speaking at the 40th Sharjah International Book Fair, Ganguly said, "I got a call from him saying his father was being too strict with him and that he needed to be taken away. That's when I called Rahul (Dravid) and told him that it was time for him to join the national team."

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Dravid has been around India's junior cricket team as a coach in the last few years. He even coached the Indian limited-overs side in July earlier this year when the Test side was on England tour with Ravi Shastri.

Ganguly further spoke on roping Dravid as head coach and added, "We grew up together, started around the same time, and spent most of the time playing together. So, it was easy for some of us to make him feel welcome and wanted."

Shastri's coaching stint with Team India ended with the conclusion of the T20 World Cup 2021. He was appointed for the role after Anil Kumble resigned in 2017, following India's defeat in the Champions Trophy 2017 final.

Apart from Shastri, bowling coach Bharat Arun, and fielding coach R Sridhar's coaching tenure also ended recently. Paras Mhambrey, with whom Dravid has worked closely at the NCA, is likely to become India's bowling coach, while Abhay Sharma and former wicketkeeper Ajay Ratra have put their names for the position of fielding coach.

Dravid will take over the new role and begin his tenure as India's full-time coach from the home T20I series against New Zealand starting November 17.

"It is an absolute honour to be appointed as the new Head Coach of the Indian Cricket Team and I am really looking forward to this role. Under Mr. Shastri, the team has done very well, and I hope to work with the team to take this forward," the BCCI had quoted Dravid as saying after his appointment.

"Having worked closely with most of the boys either at NCA, U19 and India A setup, I know they have the passion and desire to improve every day. There are some marquee multi-team events in the next two years, and I look forward to working with the players and the support staff to achieve our potential."

(With IANS Inputs)