Rahul Dravid‘s tenure as India‘s head coach finished with a significant achievement, winning the T20 World Cup against South Africa at Kensington Oval in Barbados. Previously, under his leadership, India had reached the finals of the 2023 World Test Championship and the 2023 ODI World Cup, both held at home, finishing as runners-up.
Dravid, who took over as head coach in November 2021, celebrated his first ICC trophy, having not won one during his playing career. His last stint as ODI captain ended with India’s early exit in the group stage of the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies.
The championship represented Dravid’s most notable achievement as India’s head coach during a tenure of almost three years, in which the team had previously finished as runners-up in both the 2023 World Test Championship final and the 2023 ODI World Cup held in India.
“I am really short of words but all I want to say is thank you to everyone for making me a part of what is an incredible memory,” Dravid said in the India dressing-room shortly after the final.
“I think all of you will remember this moments. It’s not about the runs, the wickets, you will not remember your career. But you will remember moments like these. I cannot be more prouder of you guys. To come back the way you did, the way you fought. The way we worked as a team. The resilience,” Dravid said in a video shared by the BCCI.
“There have been a few disappointments over the years where we have come close but we have not been able to cross the line. But what this bunch of boys has done, everyone in the support staff has done. The whole country is proud of each and every one of you on what you have achieved.”
“There are so many sacrifices each of you have made. To see your families here today and so many of your families back home, think of all the sacrifices every one of them have made since the time you were kids.”
“For you to be here in the dressing-room today, your parents, wives, children, brothers, your coaches. So many people have made so many sacrifices for you to enjoy this memory, this moment,” Dravid added.
https://x.com/BCCI/status/1808010211136827556
‘Thank you, Ro’
Rahul Dravid clinched his first major title as India’s head coach at the T20 World Cup, his final assignment
Dravid also expressed gratitude to skipper Rohit Sharma for encouraging him to prolong his coaching tenure following India’s defeat to Australia in the ODI World Cup final in Ahmedabad last November.
“Thank you very much, Ro (Rohit), for making that call in November and asking me to continue. It’s been such a privilege and a pleasure to work with each and every one of you, but also with Ro.”
“Thank you for your time. I know as captain and coach, there are a lot of times we have to chat. We have to agree; we have to disagree. It’s been brilliant to know each and every one of you,” Dravid remarked.
India is poised for significant changes in their T20I squad, with retirements announced by Rohit, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja. Earlier this week, BCCI secretary Jay Shah disclosed that Dravid would not pursue another term as head coach due to family obligations.
“He told me that due to family commitments he wants to quit and we respect his decision. I didn’t forced him to extend,” Shah told reporters in Barbados.
“Rahul bhai has served Indian cricket for the past five and half years. He was director of the National Cricket Academy for three years and then for the past two and half years, he served as head coach of Team India.”
“Rahul Dravid’s role is as important as Rohit Sharma in this T20 World Cup title triumph. He is a man, who took the team to the 2023 ODI World Cup final and didn’t wanted to leave because he wanted to finish the job,” Shah added.
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