Rahul Dravid to continue as India A and India U-19 coach for next 2 years

  New Delhi: At a time when there is still no clarity about the next India head coach after Anil Kumble’s decision to step down, the junior teams – India A and India U-19s are in safe hands as the BCCI has decided to extend Rahul Dravid’s contract as the head coach for the next two years.  The Cricket Advisory Committee comprising of Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman had recommended Dravid’s name, keeping in mind his stunning performance with the junior teams. On Friday, Dravid agreed to be associated with India A and India U-19 for a period of 2 years. "Over the last two years, Rahul Dravid has been instrumental in getting young talent into the mix who have proved their worth on the big stage," the BCCI Acting President, CK Khanna said. Unlike Anil Kumble’s contract, Dravid’s contract with a BCCI had a special clause through which he could have been granted an extension. The legendary cricketer was first given charge of the junior teams in 2015. And from then on he has achieved phenomenal success not only in winning tournaments but also with grooming of young talents like Rishab Pant, Sanju Samson, Manish Pandey and KL Rahul. "Rahul Dravid is known for the discipline and commitment he brings to the table. He has been successful in grooming the youngsters in the last two years. I wish him all the very best for his assignments with the two teams for the next two years," Choudhary said. Dravid will immediately spring into action with the India A team, which is slated to tour South Africa for a tri-series followed by four-day matches. The India A Squad was announced on Thursday. Manish Pandey has been given the charge of the limited overs side which will lock horns with South Africa and Australia in a tri-series. His Karnataka teammate Karun Nair will lead India A in the two four-day matches against hosts South Africa. One-day squad: Mandeep Singh, Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson, Manish Pandey (captain), Deepak Hooda, Karun Nair, Krunal Pandya, Rishabh Pant (wk), Vijay Shankar, Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jayant Yadav, Basil Thampi, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur, Siddarth Kaul. Squad for four-day matches: Priyank Panchal Abhinav Mukund, Shreyas Iyer, Ankit Bawne, Karun Nair (Captain) chance to stake claim for , Sudip Chatterjee, Ishan Kishan (wk), Hanuma Vihari, Jayant Yadav specialist, Shahbaz Nadeem, Navdeep Saini, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur, Aniket Choudhary, Ankit Rajpoot.