IND vs IRE: Rahul Dravid asks team India to forget Virat Kohli's iconic knock vs Pakistan in T20 World Cup 2022

India head coach Rahul Dravid is aiming to guide his side towards the last stages of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in what is his final assignment with the team. 

Rahul Dravid, who took over as India's head coach in November 2021, will see his head coaching contract expire next month. The former India batter's stay with the Indian team was extended to a further 6 months following the 50-over World Cup final. Dravid's men lost to Australia in the ultimate game at the finale in Ahmedabad. 

Rahul Dravid and team India had 2 chances last year to end the country's ICC trophy drought. The Champions Trophy in 2013 remains the last major silverware that the Men in Blue won. Since then, the team has kept on losing in important knockout games like the semi-finals and the final, despite playing good cricket throughout the tournament. 

Take the 50-Over World Cup last year for example wherein India won 9 matches on their way to the final but then lost to Australia in the most important game. But with this being Rahul Dravid's final shot at an ICC trophy, the Indian team will be aiming to give their all at the USA and West Indies. 

Rahul Dravid claims India have been one of the best sides in the recent past 

While speaking to media reporters recently, Rahul Dravid was put through a series of questions, and among them was, of course, will India end the trophy drought? The Indian head coach kept it very honest and admitted that the team he set up over 2 years, ago has been among the best cricket-playing teams in the world. 

Rahul Dravid claimed that the Indian team's consistency in ICC tournaments has been impeccable. He highlighted India's bid to the T20 World Cup 2022 semi-finals in Australia as well as their presence in both World Test Championship finals.  

To be very honest with you, I think we've actually played really well in these World Cup tournaments. In terms of our consistency, we've been very consistent. Obviously making the semi-final in Australia (2022)."

"The World Test Championship is slightly different, it's not one tournament, but it's a whole cycle but playing extremely well in that cycle to get to the final there again." - Dravid told media reporters in New York. 

Dravid says the Indian team should not think about the past or the trophy drought

When asked if the Indian team is thinking about the CWC 2023, Rahul Dravid claimed that it will be important for his players to put the past in the past. That the only thing they should be thinking about is - how to get into the semi-finals and final again as it will help the team's cause in the tournament. 

"The important thing is when you start these tournaments is not to think about that, is to actually think about getting into those positions. You have to find yourselves in those positions where you are pushing for glory and that's all you can do as a group and as a team." - Rahul Dravid concluded.