Reports | Rahul Dravid set to head National Cricket Academy

Batting legend Rahul Dravid has done a phenomenal job with the youngsters as the coach of the India U-19 and A teams. As a result, Dravid’s influence has grown tremendously in India’s domestic circuit and he is expected to take over the National Cricket Academy (NCA), 

"Rahul has been handling junior cricket for a while now and the results have been phenomenal. It's only natural that he had to get involved with affairs at the NCA (in the present position). Now, he's determined to bring about a complete turnaround at the academy. With the kind of vision he has, it's already a given now that this is his role until he decides to stay," said an official, privy to the discussions, reported TOI.

It is learnt by the newspaper that the Committee of Administrators (CoA) will soon put advertisements about the availability of the role and Dravid will make himself available. If things go as planned, the 46-year-old will set up the academy’s entire coaching staff at various centres all over the country, and even call shots on all the appointments at the NCA and its branches. Toofan Ghosh is the NCA's Chief Operating Officer (COO) and his role will only be limited to the infrastructure related responsibilities in centres based out of the main branch in Bengaluru.

“New physios, new trainers, a completely new structure will be set up. For all practical purposes, NCA will now be Rahul's baby," added the source.

‘The wall’, as he is fondly called, has plans to revamp the entire structure at the 19-year-old academy and he will start by mending some basic rules.

"He has simpler things in mind to start with. Rahul is clear that the emphasis, at all times, has to be on youngsters playing as many matches at possible. So, that's the first thing he's pitched for. Second, there used to be this process where if 20 youngsters would be shortlisted for NCA and 15 eventually picked, the remaining five-odd would be asked to return home. He wants that changed. Every youngster picked and shortlisted will continue to be at the NCA. The emphasis will be on playing as much quality cricket as possible," stated the source. 

However, a former cricketer did not seem very amused by the fact that Dravid, who has scored nearly 25,000 runs in 164 Tests and 344 ODIs, will have to report to former India wicket-keeper Saba Karim as he is the General Manager (Operations).

"These are the kind of things that one has to live with in Indian cricket. Not much can be done about it," he said.