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Rohit Sharma’s journey with the Indian team began alongside Rahul Dravid’s leadership back in June 2007, marking his ODI debut. Seventeen years down the road, their paths intertwined once more in a victorious T20 World Cup campaign, where Rohit led as captain and Dravid masterminded strategies as the head coach.
Reflecting on their partnership, Dravid cherishes the evolution from knowing Rohit since his early days to collaborating with him at the highest level of international cricket.
“I have really enjoyed working with Rohit,” the outgoing India coach told BCCI. “He is someone I knew as a young boy. Just to see him grow as a person, grow as a leader in Indian cricket. He is someone who is able to contribute to the team in the last ten or twelve years, both as a player and now as a leader. It has been a real tribute to him and the effort he has put in, the time he has put in. I really enjoy getting to know him as a person as well.”
Dravid wrapped up his tenure as India’s coach with the T20 World Cup triumph in Barbados, a fitting culmination to his stint. Meanwhile, Rohit has decided to step away from T20Is, opting to focus on Tests and ODIs while continuing to contribute to Indian cricket.
Renowned as one of cricket’s finest batsmen, Dravid finds Virat Kohli’s relentless pursuit of improvement deeply captivating.
“I only had a chance to work with him (Kohli) in a couple of series, in a couple of Test matches when he was the captain. I am getting to know him as well. His desire to improve, his desire to get better is fascinating to watch,” he said.
During his illustrious playing career, Dravid came tantalizingly close to lifting a World Cup trophy, notably reaching the final of the 2003 ODI World Cup with Team India.
Transitioning into coaching, Dravid guided India to the finals of both the ICC World Test Championship and the ODI World Cup in 2023, only to see them finish as runners-up on both occasions, prolonging the quest for global glory.
However, Dravid’s long-cherished dream of securing a World Cup victory finally materialized in 2024. In a gripping showdown in Barbados, India emerged triumphant over South Africa to clinch the T20 World Cup, marking a crowning achievement in Dravid’s coaching journey.
