By: Aditya Ahuja
Rahul Dravid, who served as India’s head coach during their T20 World Cup triumph in the Caribbean, said that skipper Rohit Sharma’s phone call after the ODI World Cup last year was one of the best he had ever received.
Dravid’s time as the head coach of the Indian team ended on a fairytale note when the Rohit Sharma-led side ended the 13-year-long ICC World Cup trophy drought by lifting the coveted title in Barbados.
Dravid’s stint as head coach had previously ended in heartbreak when Australia defeated the unbeaten Rohit Sharma-led side in the final in Ahmedabad to lift their sixth ODI World Cup trophy. Dravid was set to finish his tenure without an ICC World Cup trophy, but Rohit convinced him over a phone call to continue as head coach until the T20 World Cup.
“I wasn’t sure if I was going to continue after the 50-Over World Cup. There was great joy in having had a fantastic campaign, but also a little bit of disappointment in the final that we couldn’t get over the line,” Dravid said during an event at Wankhede Stadium.
“For Rohit to pick up the phone and say, ‘Rahul, let’s have one more crack at it in six or eight months’ time. It will be lovely to have a crack at it together.’ I am so thankful because I had the chance to work with an exceptionally great bunch of boys. But also to experience what I have experienced in Barbados and what I have done here. Truly grateful and probably one of the best phone calls that I have received in my life,” he added.
After India finally got their hands on the trophy they desired most, emotions were clearly visible on the faces of every player. Dravid, known for his calm and composed demeanor, let his emotions pour out after he held the title.
Reflecting on the time he spent with the team since 2021, Dravid praised the players and acknowledged that it was a privilege to work with them.
“I think they are like family. It has been just incredible what these boys have done. The level of hard work, resilience, fighting spirit, a never-say-die attitude, and constantly looking to get better. As a coach and as a support staff, we could never have asked for anything more. It is truly a privilege to be able to coach and work with these boys,” Dravid said.
During the felicitation ceremony at Wankhede, Dravid said, “I am going to miss this love. What we have seen today is absolutely phenomenal. What we have seen right from the time we landed here. Just the love of these people and fans. It is the greatest game in the world because of the fans of India.”
Dravid was appointed as India’s head coach in November 2021 following the team’s disappointing T20 World Cup campaign in the UAE.
Former India batter VVS Laxman used to step in to coach the team whenever Dravid was unavailable. With the new head coach yet to be announced, Laxman will continue as the interim head coach for India’s T20I series against Zimbabwe, set to begin on July 6.
