A Test series triumph in South Africa is still far off, despite the fact that Team India has emerged as a cricketing force in recent years. This target remains the most disheartening aspect of Rahul Dravid’s coaching career, the former head coach.
The tour of South Africa was Dravid’s first significant assignment after being named India’s head coach in November 2021. Indian triumph in Centurion raised hopes of a first-ever series victory, and the series started on a high note. The visitors’ series was ultimately lost 2-1, though, in a devastating turnabout. Dravid expressed his disappointment when he thought back on the series.
“If you ask me what is the lowest point, I would say that the South Africa Test series early on in my career. We won the first Test match in South Africa in Centurion, and then we were playing in the second and third Test match. We have never won a series in South Africa, as you know. It was a really big opportunity for us to win that series. Some of our senior players were not there,” Dravid told Star Sports.
“Rohit Sharma was injured”- Rahul Dravid
The difficulty was increased by the absence of important players like Rohit Sharma. Rahul Dravid thought the team had enough strength to get through these obstacles, though. Because Virat Kohli was suspended for one match for a sluggish over-rate, KL Rahul took over as captain for the second Test.
Speaking further in advance, he disclosed that the squad was on the verge of victory in the final two Test matches of the series and had the opportunity to set a realistic goal for South Africa to win the match.
“Rohit Sharma was injured, and we didn’t have some senior players in that series. But we were very close, and in both the Test matches—the second and the third test matches—in the third innings, we had a big opportunity,” he added.
“We could have set a decent score and won the game, but South Africa played well. They chased back in the fourth innings. So I would say that that was probably my lowest point in my coaching of not being able to win that series in spite of being ahead,” Dravid concluded.
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