Reports: Ravi Shastri unlikely to continue as Team India coach after T20 WC 2021

India’s incumbent head coach Ravi Shastri is likely to step down from his post after the end of ICC T20 World Cup 2021, recent reports suggest. His term’s conclusion at the helm coincides with the end of this year’ World Cup and he is reportedly not willing for a renewal.

Shastri, who initially served as the team coach from 2017 to 2019, was reappointed for the role in August 2019, however, it is speculated that he has communicated his decision of not continuing once his coaching tenure ends this time to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)

Sources suggest that contracts of Shastri’s assistants – bowling coach Bharat Arun and fielding coach R Sridhar – will not be renewed either. However, batting coach Vikram Rathore is likely to continue to remain on the post.

A News18 report states that the BCCI “has already started discussions on appointing a new head coach for the team after the T20 World Cup. The board will invite applications for the post of head coach of the Indian team. Selection and interview will be done based on application.”

It has been further stated that the BCCI is not interested in renewing Shastri’s contract and the latter has “understood the attitude of the board and made his decision to step down from the post after the ICC event.”

Rahul Dravid, Virender Sehwag in contention to replace Ravi Shastri

Speculations are rife over who will replace Shastri, with former India players Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag’s name being in contention. While Sehwag does not have any major coaching experience, Dravid has served as a coach for India Under-19 and India A teams, while he was also the senior team’s mentor during the limited-overs series against Sri Lanka earlier this year, when India fielded two teams simultaneously and Shastri was involved with the first-choice unit touring England.

“New head coaches and support staff will be in charge of Team India’s tour of South Africa which begins on December 16 after the T20 World Cup. However, the new coach will not be seen in the two-Test series at home against New Zealand after the T20 World Cup,” the News18 report states. “According to a section of the board, if necessary, Team India can play against the New Zealand series by extending the contract of Shastri by another month.”