BCCI keen to approach Rahul Dravid as head coach of India: Report

New Delhi: The BCCI is willing to approach former India skipper and legend Rahul Dravid as the new head coach of India.

According to a report in The Times of India, the Indian cricket board's advisory committee, comprising Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman, are interested in seeing their teammate Dravid take over as the boss of the national side.

Dravid has been in charge of India A and India U-19 squads for almost a year. Under his guidance the Indian U-19 cricket team made it to the final of of the World Cup this year, where they lost to West Indies.

Reports state that BCCI is keen to have a coach from the country who can guide cricketers especially in Test cricket. Sources claim that Dravid is keen to give it a thought.

"Rahul has said he will give it a thought," said a source.

Further reports state that, if Dravid agrees to take up the challenge, he is likely to be given a free hand and a long-term contract, possibly extending to the ICC 2019 World Cup.

Meanwhile, Ravi Shastri's stint as India's team director ended with India's campaign in the ongoing ICC World T20. Reports claim that Shastri isn't seen as a head coach although he will keep guiding the side.

The advisory committee is going to meet on Tuesday (April 5) to discuss the issue of the chief coach.

India's last coach was Duncan Fletcher and his role ended after the ICC World Cup in 2015.

Dravid is presently the mentor of the IPL franchise Delhi Daredevils. Earlier, while playing for Rajasthan Royals, Dravid had also taken up the role of a mentor for the now de-funct side, a job in which he continued even after quitting the game.

India is scheduled to play 18 Test matches between June 2016 and March 2017, and Dravid's experience holds utmost value to guide the side and get positive results. Dravid had played 164 Test matches and 344 ODIs for India and he seems as the best bet for managing the national side.

Meanwhile, the board had earlier contacted former Australia batsman Michael Hussey to take up the challenge but the arrangement failed to work out.

Also the BCCI is likely to continue with the services of assistant coach Sanjay Bangar, bowling coach Bharat Arun and fielding coach R Sridhar for now.