Rahul Dravid bows down his hat to Indian players for letting him finish on a high as the Head Coach

Rahul Dravid had a distinct career as Indian cricketer and coach. However, India's T20 World Cup win helped him end with at least one World Cup to his name. His tenure came to an end with India winning the final. 

India defeated South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2024 final by seven runs. India posted a competitive 176/7 riding on the back of Virat Kohli's 76. South Africa needing 30 off the final five overs at one point, lost the match by seven runs. Hardik Pandya defended 16 off the final over and got the key wicket of Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller to win the game for India. 

Rahul Dravid after India's World Cup win spoke to PTI and complimented and congratulated the victory moment for India. He spoke about his time with the Indian team and the memories that he had with the group of players and the support staff.

“I really have felt short of words over the last few hours. I just could not be more proud of this team, the way we had to fight difficult situations,”. Even today I think it was a great testimony... for the team to lose three wickets in the first six overs, to be in the kind of position we were in, but the boys just kept fighting, they kept believing" Dravid said after the triumph. 

He further acknowledged the fact that he did not win an ICC title as a player in his career but this Indian team helped him win one as a coach.

"As a player, I was not lucky enough to win a World Cup. I tried my best whenever I played. I was lucky that this bunch of boys made it possible. I loved working with Rohit and this team" Dravid said to PTI in an interview. 

He further acknowledged that this T20 World Cup win is the highlight of his coaching career. 

“Just phenomenal, just lovely to be a part of a dressing room like this. It’s a memory of a lifetime for me, so I am thankful and grateful to the team and the support staff who have made this possible" added Dravid. 

Also Read: After Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma announces retirement after winning T20 World Cup 2024

Dravid has a distinct career as the coach of the Indian cricket team. Under his tenure, India made big strides in Test cricket reaching the final of the WTC 2023 final. Under him, India also reached the 2023 ODI World Cup final and the semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2022. As a player, Dravid played in the 2003 ODI World Cup final under Sourav Fanguly's captaincy. 

Unfortunately, as a captain in the 2007 ODI World Cup, India faced an early exit from the tournament after league-stage defeats to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. As the team celebrated their hard-earned victory, Dravid's legacy was cemented further, not just as a player but as a coach who led India to new heights. However, being the gentleman that he is Dravid denied creating any legacy for Team India.

 I Am Not A Legacy Person: Rahul Dravid

“I am not a legacy person, I am not looking for legacies, I just feel glad that we could give our best. I think I have been lucky to have been working with an exceptionally professional bunch, intelligent bunch of coaches, and other support staff who have made it possible to create a fantastic environment. I am glad that a bit of luck has resulted in this trophy. I couldn’t be happier for this team, and I couldn’t be happier for so many of the Indian fans who are coming out to these games" concluded Dravid.

Also Read: "Rahul Dravid deserved that trophy more than any of us"- Rohit Sharma's fitting tribute