Watch- Rohit Sharma suffocates, can't speak in press conference as he gets emotional for Rahul Dravid

Indian cricket team captain, Rohit Sharma, expressed his gratitude for outgoing head coach Rahul Dravid during a media interaction on Tuesday, June 4, ahead of their opening game against Ireland in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in New York on Wednesday, June 5.

Rohit has shown heartfelt recognition to Dravid, who already announced that the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 will be his final assignment as India head coach, for his significant impact on the team over the last two and a half years.

Rohit Sharma gets emotional as Rahul Dravid set to step down as India's head coach

The Indian skipper revealed that he tried hard to convince Dravid to continue in his role, given the profound influence he had on the team and himself personally, but the Indian legend denied it, and he understands his other commitments.

Reflecting on their time together, Rohit became emotional, as he had only respect and admiration for his first Indian captain and mentor. The Indian opener hailed Dravid's contributions and the positive impact he had on the team, saying his contributions have left a lasting legacy within the squad and everyone enjoyed working with him.

When asked about any farewell plans for Dravid, Rohit became emotional and didn't say anything. Rohit Sharma told the media in the pre-match press conference: “I tried convincing him to stay, but obviously there are a lot of things that he needs to look after as well. But yeah, I personally enjoyed my time with him. I'm sure the rest of the guys will say the same. It's been great working with him. And I'm not going to say anything actually. I'm not going to say anything.”

Rohit Sharma pays heartfelt tribute to Rahul Dravid

Meanwhile, the right-hander lauded Dravid's unwavering determination throughout his career, and he wanted to learn from him when he joined Team India as head coach in November 2021. He also said that their collaboration has been very fruitful, and he will always cherish working with Dravid.

Praising Dravid, Rohit further noted: “Other than the big silver (ICC trophy), we won all the major tournaments and series. I've enjoyed every bit of it, working with him, and deciding what direction the team needs to head. And for him to buy into that thought, obviously makes a huge difference. And he was the first one who came and said, 'This is what we need to do as a team'. No matter what happens, but at least we'll give it a good shot at it when he arrives.”

In the end, Rohit reflected on his long-standing association with Dravid, noting that ‘The Wall’ was his first Indian captain when he made his international debut in Ireland. Rohit recalled observing Dravid's play during Test matches as he was entering the team and called him a big role model.

Rahul Dravid is a big role model for all of us: Rohit Sharma

He said that Dravid's ability to lead the team out of challenging situations left a lasting impression on him and the entire cricket world. The Indian skipper further mentioned that Dravid's reputation for resilience and dedication has been a source of inspiration for many, and he appreciated the opportunity to learn from and work alongside the legendary cricketer.

Rohit signed off by saying, “He is such a big role model for all of us. Growing up, we watched him play and we know what he has achieved, personally as a player and also what he's done for the team over the years. Battling out the team from difficult situations and that is what he's known for.”

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