Sunil Gavaskar backs Rahul Dravid as Team India coach

New Delhi: Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has backed Rahul Dravid as the next Indian cricket team coach, saying if the BCCI was looking for change, the former India captain is best suited for the job. “I have been saying that for long. Every player needs a cooling period [after retirement] and it seems Rahul Dravid has served his cooling period,” Gavaskar said. “My honest advise to BCCI is that in case they are looking for a change there is no one better than Rahul Dravid,” he was quoted as saying by ‘NDTV’. In the past as well, Gavaskar has vouched for Dravid and suggested his name for the top job after the sacking of Duncan Fletcher. IPL 2016: Ricky Ponting believes Rahul Dravid is ideal candidate for India’s coach

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting, too, has supported U-19 India coach and current Delhi Daredevils mentor Dravid as the right guy for the India job. “I don’t think BCCI will find many better candidates than someone like him (Dravid). If he’s interested in doing the job, he will do a good job,” Ponting said. “He’s got a lot of knowledge, is very experienced and understands all three formats.” BCCI welcome Rahul Dravid’s appointment, Anil Kumble’s extension in ICC Cricket Committee

Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting also backed Rahul Dravid as one of best candidates to coach the Indian cricket team. “It’s not my decision to make and it depends on what BCCI are looking for. Do they want an Indian coach or an overseas one? I don’t think BCCI will find many better candidates than someone like him. If he’s interested in doing the job, he will do a good job,” said Ponting here today. “He’s got a lot of knowledge, is very experienced and understands all three formats because he has worked in IPL,” he said.