June 30th 2024.
Rahul Dravid, the head coach of the Indian cricket team, breathed a sigh of relief as he concluded his tenure with a coveted T20 World Cup victory in Barbados on Saturday. He had been facing intense scrutiny after losing two consecutive ICC finals - the World Test Championship and the ODI World Cup against Australia last year. However, he proved his mettle in his final assignment, ending India's more than decade-long drought for a T20 World Cup title.
In an exhilarating match, India defeated South Africa by seven runs to secure their second T20 World Cup trophy. After the win, both Virat Kohli and captain Rohit Sharma announced their retirement from T20Is. When asked about his bond with Rohit, Dravid expressed that he will miss him as a person, not just as a captain of the team.
He said, "I will miss him as a person, forget the cricket, forget the captaincy and everything. I hope we will still be friends. What has really impressed me is the kind of person he is, the respect he has shown me, the care and commitment he has for the team, and the energy he brings. He has never backed down from it."
Dravid also added, "For me, it's the person that I will remember the most. He will be a great captain, a great player, and he will win trophies. But it's the person that I am most fond of."
The 51-year-old praised the fighting spirit of his team and the way they bounced back in difficult situations during the thrilling clash, solidifying themselves as the new T20I champions. He said, "I have been short of words over the last few hours. I am incredibly proud of this team and the way we fought through tough situations. Even today, it was a great testament to the team's character to lose three wickets in the first six overs and still come out victorious. The boys never gave up, they kept believing."
Having never won a trophy as a player, winning the T20 World Cup with India was a memorable moment for Dravid, especially after facing a disappointing first-round exit in the 2007 ODI World Cup under his leadership in the West Indies. However, he humbly denied any redemption factor and admitted that he was fortunate to be able to deliver as a coach for the country.
He clarified, "There is no redemption. I am not someone who dwells on redemption and such things. There are many other players who have not been able to win a trophy. I was lucky to be given the opportunity to coach, and I was lucky that this group of players made it possible for me to win a trophy and celebrate."
"It's a nice feeling, but I am not aiming for redemption. It was just a job that I loved doing. I enjoyed working with Rohit and this team. It has been a fantastic journey, and I am grateful for it," he added.
Dravid also expressed his gratitude towards the team and the support staff for creating an exceptional environment and for their professionalism and intelligence. He said, "I am just grateful and thankful to the team and the support staff for making this possible. I am not someone who thinks about legacies; I am just glad that we could give our best. I have been fortunate to work with a highly professional and intelligent group of coaches and support staff who have helped create a fantastic environment."
He concluded, "I am happy that a bit of luck resulted in this trophy. I couldn't be happier for this team, and I couldn't be happier for all the Indian fans who came out to support us. It's a memory of a lifetime for me, and I am grateful for it."
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