Watch: 'Emotional' Rahul Dravid delivers farewell speech, thanks Rohit Sharma for encouraging him to continue after ODI WC heartbreak

Legendary India batter Rahul Dravid is not someone who is known to express his emotions in front of the camera. But the magnitude of India's T20 World Cup 2024 win was such that even he could not stop himself from celebrating like a youngster.

This was Dravid's last international assignment as India's head coach and it ended on a high note. After the win, Dravid delivered an emotional speech in which he bid adieu from his role and thanked all the players for their support during his memorable tenure.

Also read: Sanjay Manjrekar strikes Virat Kohli again with controversial comments on his retirement from T20Is

Rahul Dravid gets emotional while delivering the farewell speech

In a video uploaded by BCCI on X (formerly Twitter), Dravid remembered his journey as a coach and felt grateful for the moments. He also remembered the disappointment of the 2023 ODI World Cup in his speech.

“I am really short of words but all I want to say is thank you everyone for making me a part of what is an incredible memory. I think all you will remember these moments. We always say it's not about the runs, it's not about the wickets, you'll never remember your career. But you will remember moments like this," Dravid said.

"So, let's really enjoy. I could not be more proud of you guys. The comeback the way you fought, the way you worked as a team, the resilience. There have been a few disappointments over the years where we have come close, but we've never been able to cross the line," he remembered.

The former India batter also spoke about the sacrifices made by the players and their families and mentioned that the whole country is immensely proud of all of them.

"You know, I think the whole country is really, really proud of each and every one of you and what you have achieved and all of you should. I think there's so many sacrifices that each and every one of you make, see your families here today, enjoying it. So many of your families back home," Dravid said.

"Just think about all the sacrifices each and every one of them has made since the time we were kids, for you to be here in the dressing room today. Your parents, your wives, your children, your coaches, there are so many people who have made so many sacrifices and worked so hard for you to enjoy this memory and moment. Really proud to be a part of this team. Thank you so much," he stated.

Dravid further adds, "I am short of words. I am not usually short of words but on a day like today, I could not be more grateful, more thankful for the respect, kindness, for the effort that each and every one of you have shown to me, my coaching staff, and my support staff."

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗲-𝗪𝗔𝗟𝗟! 🫡

The sacrifices, the commitment, the comeback 🏆

📽️ #TeamIndia Head Coach Rahul Dravid's emotional dressing room speech in Barbados 👌👌 #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/vVUMfTZWbc

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 2, 2024

Rahul Dravid thanks Rohit Sharma

In the end, he also thanked the captain Rohit Sharma for asking him to stay after the ODI World Cup 2023 disappointment.

“Just like to say Ro (Rohit Sharma) thank you very much for making that call in November and asking me to continue. I think it's been such a privilege and a pleasure to work with each and every one of you but also to Ro (Rohit) thanks for the time. I know as a captain and of course there's a lot of times we have the chat, we have to discuss, we have to agree, we have to disagree at times. But thank you very much," Dravid concluded.

After India's title win, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma also announced their retirement from T20Is. A day later, allrounder Ravindra Jadeja also retired from the format.