NEWS
Follow UsLife seldom gives you a second chance, but for Rahul Dravid, the second chance came in the form of becoming India’s head coach. Under Dravid’s tutelage, the Indian team has seen extraordinary success in the white ball formats, where they have lost thrice across three World Cup campaigns - 2022 T20 World Cup, 2023 ODI World Cup and 2024 T20 World Cup.
At this year’s global event, the Men in Blue went undefeated and sealed a narrow seven-run win in the final to take home the T20 World Cup, their first 20-over title since the inaugural edition. Dravid wasn’t even supposed to be at this year’s event, but a call from Rohit Sharma post the ODI World Cup loss against Australia convinced him to continue.
"Ro, thank you very much for making that call to me in November and asking [me] to continue," Dravid said in a video posted by BCCI.
"I think it's been such a privilege and a pleasure to work with each and every one of you, but Ro, also thanks for the time. There is a lot of time we have to chat, we have to discuss, we have to agree, we have to disagree at times, but thank you so very much,” he added.
When India lost the 50-over event in 2007 on the same Caribbean shores, Dravid himself received trolls and abuse. Ironically, Dravid’s first World Cup title with a senior squad also came on the same shores, here in the West Indies.
"I'm not usually short of words but on a day like today, for me to be part of this, I could not be more grateful," Dravid said. "For the respect, for the kindness, for the effort that each and everyone of you have shown to me, to my coaching staff, to my support staff.
"All of you will remember these moments. We always say, it is not about the runs, it is not about the wickets, you never remember your career but you remember moments like this, so let's really enjoy."
Also Read: Virat Kohli: The Undisputed GOAT of T20 World Cup History
Interestingly, Dravid, during the entire conversation, had reserved a small message to Virat Kohli, who became the second player after MS Dhoni to complete the set of ICC white-ball trophies. That conversation revolved around red-ball cricket, with Kohli yet to win the one trophy that has eluded him - the World Test Championship.
“All three whites ticked off. One red to go. Tick it,” he concluded.
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