Dravid averts potential conflict of interest for NCA role

Has taken a leave of absence from India Cements

Rahul Dravid. File

Decks have been cleared for Rahul Dravid, the India Under-19 and India A coach, to take over as Head of Cricket at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. The former India captain is understood to have amicably resolved a potential conflict of interest that may have arisen due to his employment.

The Hindu understands that the legendary batsman was set to take over the wider role on July 1.

However, days before assuming charge, he informally sought a clarification pertaining to his prolonged association with India Cements, which owns, among other cricket clubs, IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings.

The Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), during its meeting with BCCI ombudsman Justice (Retd.) D.K. Jain last week, discussed the issue and advised Dravid to stay away from India Cements before formally taking charge. As a result, Dravid has taken a leave of absence from India Cements until such time he serves as the head of NCA.

Dravid — who has been frequenting the NCA premises in Bengaluru recently — is now expected to formally start into a new role later this week.

Dravid is expected to work closely with head coaches and selectors of the men’s and women’s teams.

He will also continue to be involved in the developmental teams, including India-A, India U-10 and India U-23.

Immediate task

Once Dravid takes charge, he, along with BCCI general manager (operations) Saba Karim and NCA chief operating officer Tufan Ghosh, will kick-start the interview process of shortlisted candidates for some of the vacant coaching and support staff positions at NCA.

After inviting applications for the posts of batting coach, pace bowling coach along with trainers and physiotherapists, the BCCI has shortlisted candidates for each of these positions.

It is understood that the impeding interviews for coaching positions are likely to be scheduled next week, since some of the candidates are also in touch with a few Ranji Trophy teams for the forthcoming domestic season.