Dravid set to stay as captain, Shastri may accept cricket manager's role

Rahul Dravid is set to stay on as India captain and Ravi Shastri has been offered the role of coach/cricket manager for next month's tour of Bangladesh, sources in the Board of Control for Cricket in India have said.

Outgoing coach Greg Chappell, who was hospitalised this morning following complaints of chest pain, is reported to have been offered the post of consultant at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore.

Unconfirmed reports also said that former all-rounder Robin Singh could play the role of an assistant or fielding coach. Sources also revealed that there could be further specific appointments - separate batting, bowling and fielding coaches - with Shastri taking on an overseeing role as cricket manager in the long term.

Shastri has asked the BCCI for a day to clear existing contractual obligations and commitments - he is contracted with ESPN-Star - but did say that it "would be an honour to serve Indian cricket."

All these proposals and/or decisions must be ratified by the working committee, which meets tomorrow, to become effective.

Dravid's decision to accept the captaincy, revealed by sources in the BCCI, sets at rest speculation that he considered giving up the captaincy following India's dismal showing in the World Cup and the subsequent decision of Chappell to not seek an extension of his contract as India coach.

In addition to suggestions for having a specific structure of specialised coached assisting the team, it is understood that Dravid also stressed on the need to put other support systems in place. Aside from putting forward his suggestions on what personnel would be ideally suited to take the team forward, Dravid suggested a more streamlined selection process, better team management with the appointment of a full-time team manager and a full-time media manager. (ANI)

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