Watch- Hardik Pandya gives an emotional tribute to Rahul Dravid in the latter's final match as the Indian Head Coach

Team India star all-rounder Hardik Pandya expressed joy at Rahul Dravid ending his stint as India head coach with a victory against South Africa in the final match of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024. Hardik Pandya stated that he enjoyed working with Rahul Dravid, describing him as a wonderful man.

The Rohit Sharma-led team ended their ICC trophy drought with a victory over South Africa at the Kensington Oval in Barbados on Saturday, June 29. The Men in Blue snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in the summit clash. The Aiden Markram-led team scored 169 runs while chasing a 176-run target.

Rahul Dravid's tenure as head coach ended after the T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA). The former Indian skipper didn't apply for the position for another term. Notably, Dravid didn't win a World Cup trophy as a player, but he lifted the trophy as Team India head coach.

Very Happy For Rahul Dravid - Hardik Pandya

When asked about Rahul Dravid after the match, Hardik Pandya said that it was special to give him a memorable farewell and also expressed his appreciation for the support staff.

"Very happy for him (Dravid), he’s been a wonderful man, really enjoyed working with him, to give him a farewell like this is wonderful, have had a very good relationship with him and became friends. Very happy for all the support staff,” Hardik said.

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Rahul Dravid became the head coach of Team India when former BCCI President Sourav Ganguly appointed him in November 2021. Dravid had extensive coaching experience with junior teams, at the National Cricket Academy, and in the IPL. He has proven his critics wrong during his tenure as head coach of India.

The Men in Blue reached the final match in ICC tournaments across all three formats in the past year under Dravid's tenure. The Indian team reached the finals of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023 and ODI World Cup 2023. However, the team suffered heartbreaking losses to Australia on both occasions

Very Emotional - Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya changed the match in India's favor by dismissing Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller in the latter stages of the match. Pandya stated that the team believed in their ability to win throughout the game. He described the win as very emotional, especially after a challenging six months.

"It means a lot. Very emotional, we'd been working very hard and something was not clicking. But today we got what the whole nation wanted. More special for me, how my last 6 months were, I haven't spoken a word. I knew that if I kept working hard I could shine and do what I could do. Getting an opportunity like this makes it more special. We always believed it was just about executing our plans and staying calm and letting the pressure come to them," Pandya said.

Also read: Rohit Sharma sent 'South Africa ko choke karaana' message by 1983 World Cup-winning star ahead of T20 WC final