Rahul Dravid chokes with emotions as he thanks Rohit Sharma
Published - 05 Jul 2024, 01:28 PM | Updated - 05 Jul 2024, 01:42 PM
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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 victory in the recently concluded T20 World Cup. Rahul Dravid highlighted how Rohit Sharma convinced him to continue as the head coach after the ODI World Cup 2023 final loss in Ahmedabad.
Rahul Dravid's tenure as the head coach ended after the 2023 ODI World Cup. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) granted him an extension until the T20 World Cup 2024. The Rohit Sharma-led team emerged as winners in Dravid's final assignment as head coach of the India national cricket team.
The 51-year-old received a warm and respectful reception, where he addressed the audience for the last time as head coach of the Indian team. Rohit Sharma and his team returned to Delhi from Barbados on Thursday morning and later traveled to Mumbai for a felicitation ceremony organized by the BCCI.
Let's Have Another Crack - Rahul Dravid
In his farewell speech, Rahul Dravid recounted a significant phone call from Rohit Sharma after India's World Cup final loss to Australia. Dravid said that Rohit urged him to stay on as coach, describing it as one of the best 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 victory was special for the Indian team, especially after recent disappointments in the World Test Championship final and the ODI World Cup 2023. India lived up to high expectations by clinching the title with a thrilling victory over South Africa. India ended its 11-year wait for the ICC trophy.
Fantastic Note To Sign Off On - Rahul Dravid
Rahul Dravid expressed heartfelt gratitude and fondness, noting it was a fantastic note to sign off on. He highlighted how the team's hard work and dedication made coaching them a privilege. Dravid emphasized the team's familial bond and their relentless pursuit of 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.
Rahul Dravid led the Indian U-19 team to a World Cup victory in 2018 before taking over as India's head coach in 2021. Dravid also coached India to win the Asia Cup last year. India reached consecutive finals in ICC events. The BCCI will announce Dravid's successor ahead of the Sri Lanka series.
