Explained: Why Ashish Nehra Refused To Take Up Team India Head Coach Job

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) extended the contract of India head coach Rahul Dravid and his staff as it ended after the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. The board did look at some other resumes before giving the former India cricketer a much-deserved extension.

However, there is no clarity over the length of Dravid's contract as India coach. Reports also claim that the legendary cricketer is yet to sign the contract offered by the BCCI.

BCCI Extends Rahul Dravid's Contract For India Coach

Before confirming Dravid's extension for the job, there were a few other names floating on social media as the BCCI was scouting for some names for the prestigious job. VVS Laxman, who has acted as the acting coach in Dravid's absence, was tipped to be the front-runner for the job.

Ashish Nehra Declined BCCI Offer For India Coach?

Reports have revealed that former India pacer Ashish Nehra was also approached by the BCCI to take up the role for the T20 format but he declined the offer. A PTI report explained the reason behind the Gujarat Titans coach's refusal.

Reports added that the 44-year-old never had any intentions of being the head coach of the national side and maintained that he wants to honour his contract with the Ahmedabad-based IPL franchise till it ends in 2025.

Nehra, having a young family, is currently reluctant to lead a nomadic lifestyle associated with the role of India coach, given the extensive travel commitments. Currently, he is focused on a two-and-a-half-month stint as an IPL coach.

Another report suggested that the BCCI was offering the job of the T20 coach to Nehra only for the tour of South Africa and a call over his future was to be taken later. The former cricketer didn't take up the role due to the same.

Nevertheless, he expressed openness to potentially becoming a white-ball coach for the national team in the future, if circumstances align. There is still uncertainty over duration of Dravid's contract, but indications suggest his continued guidance until the culmination of the T20 World Cup in 2024.

Any decisions regarding his future association with the national team will be considered after the global showpiece, scheduled in June 2024 in the West Indies and the United States of America.

Nehra's existing contract with the IPL franchise Gujarat Titans extends until 2025. Despite losing their captain Hardik Pandya to Mumbai Indians, the franchise faces difficulty in releasing their sought-after coach at this juncture. Nehra emphasizes that he has no intention of pushing for a move.