There has been total silence from Rahul Dravid, compounding the suspense over his continuation with the Indian team as head coach. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), though, is not staying quiet. It is carrying on with its work as if it’s business as usual. Travel papers for Dravid, as well as for all the members of his support staff, have been prepared for the upcoming tour of South Africa.
However, the completion of travel papers is not necessarily an indication that Dravid will continue, as visas for VVS Laxman’s coaching team have also been readied. While the BCCI is still awaiting word from Dravid, the board managers are preparing for every eventuality. The Twenty20 team is scheduled to leave for South Africa on December 6, playing three T20Is in South Africa on December 10, 12, and 14. The team selection is expected in the next two days.
The BCCI has not provided any indication of whether Rahul or Laxman’s coaching staff will travel to South Africa. However, there are suggestions that the current coaching staff will handle the Twenty20 series in South Africa to allow continuity and provide the BCCI with more time to make the final decision on Dravid.
Following the T20Is, India will play three ODIs and two Tests in South Africa, the final game ending in Cape Town on January 7. An India A side is also expected to travel to South Africa in December, and there is a need for a second coaching staff to look after that.
Meanwhile, England Lions will be visiting India for three matches ahead of the arrival of the Ben Stokes-led side for the five-Test series in February-March. The England Lions are scheduled to arrive in January, and the dates and venues for the three games have not yet been finalised. It won’t be surprising if Mumbai is allotted those games.
Mumbai will be hosting England A women from Wednesday. The English women will play three one-dayers at the Wankhede on November 29, December 1 and 3. The A series will be followed by three Twenty20 Internationals between India women and England women on December 6, 9, and December 19 at the same venue, followed by a women’s Test at the DY Patil Stadium from December 14 to 17.
The Wankhede will then host a Test between India women and Australia women from December 21 to 24, followed by three ODIs on December 28, 30, and January 2. The DY Patil Stadium will host three women’s T20Is between India and Australia on December 5, 7, and 9.
“MCA president Amol Kale and Apex Council unanimously passed a resolution to encourage support for women’s cricket. Unlocking the gates to free entry not only fills the stadium but also opens the door to a world of empowerment through women’s T20 cricket,” said Ajinkya Naik, Mumbai Cricket Association secretary.
