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Legendary cricketer Rahul Dravid concluded his tenure as the head coach of India’s senior men’s cricket team with a triumphant victory in the recently concluded T20 World Cup. Dravid emphasized how Rohit Sharma persuaded him to continue as head coach following India’s loss in the ODI World Cup 2023 final in Ahmedabad.
Initially scheduled to end after the 2023 ODI World Cup, Rahul Dravid’s coaching tenure was extended by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) until the conclusion of the T20 World Cup 2024. Under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy, Dravid’s final assignment saw India emerge as champions.
During his farewell, the 51-year-old received a warm and respectful reception, delivering his last address as head coach of the Indian team. Rohit Sharma and the squad returned from Barbados to Delhi on Thursday morning before traveling to Mumbai for a felicitation ceremony organized by the BCCI.
During his farewell address, Rahul Dravid recalled a pivotal moment when Rohit Sharma phoned him after India’s World Cup final defeat against Australia. Dravid fondly described Rohit’s encouragement for him to continue as coach as one of the most memorable phone calls of his life.
“Rohit called and said, ‘Rahul, let’s have another crack’. I think that was the best phone call of my life,” Dravid smiled while recalling his conversation with the Indian captain.
The T20 World Cup 2024 triumph held profound significance for the Indian team, particularly following recent setbacks in the World Test Championship final and the ODI World Cup 2023. India met lofty expectations by securing the title in a gripping match against South Africa. This victory ended India’s 11-year drought for an ICC trophy, marking a momentous achievement in their cricketing journey.
Fantastic Note To Sign Off On – Rahul Dravid
Rahul Dravid conveyed deep appreciation and affection, describing his departure as a wonderful conclusion. He praised the team’s commitment and effort, expressing gratitude for the privilege of coaching them. Dravid underscored the close-knit camaraderie within the team and their unwavering dedication to continuous improvement.
“This is a fantastic note to sign off on. I am going to miss all this love. What we have been seeing today and what I have heard since the win shows how India makes cricket brilliant. These boys are like family. The amount of work these boys have done (is incredible) and they are constantly looking to get better. As coaches and support staff, we couldn’t have asked for anything more. We are privileged to have been able to coach this team,” Dravid added.
After guiding the Indian U-19 team to a World Cup triumph in 2018, Rahul Dravid assumed the role of India’s head coach in 2021. Under his tenure, Dravid also steered India to victory in the Asia Cup last year. India’s consistent performance under his guidance saw them reach consecutive finals in ICC events. The BCCI is set to unveil Dravid’s successor in preparation for the upcoming Sri Lanka series.
