Bridgetown, July 2: Little known for showing his emotions in public, outgoing Team India Head Coach Rahul Dravid stunned many when he cried with joy holding the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 trophy on Saturday, after India beat South Africa in a keenly contested final, here.
But that was not all. The outgoing Team India coach was known popularly as 'The Wall' for his superb defence technique and batting excellence. In his farewell address to the team in the dressing room, Dravid reminded them that they will never remember their career without moments like clinching the World Cup 2024 trophy.
As a player, Dravid despite his long stint with Team India, was not part of the national side, when India won the maiden T20 World Cup in 2007 or ODI World Cup in 2011.
But as a coach he also guided Prithvi Shaw led India Under 19 team to World Cup victory in 2018.
Though reluctantly, but Dravid took over as Team India Head Coach in 2021. He and his boys missed the ODI World Cup 2023 in India, beaten by Australia in the final.
However, the former India captain finally had his hands on an ICC trophy on June 29, 2024 as a coach.
But as a captain, he had a bitter experience in 2007, when India were ousted from the ODI World Cup in 2007 in the group-stage in the Caribbean.
Later that year, led by young MS Dhoni, India won the first T20 world Cup. However, the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup title marked Dravid’s most significant title as India’s Head Coach over a nearly three-year tenure> During his stint as the Head Coach, India finished runners-up in the 2023 World Test Championship final and the 2023 ODI World Cup at home.
In his final official address to the team, Dravid also thanked captain Rohit Sharma for encouraging him to extend his tenure as the Head Coach after India's ODI World Cup final defeat to Australia in Ahmedabad on November 19.
Finally, he thanked each member, support staff, families of players, millions of Indian supporters and the BCCI for extending unconditional support and encouragement to him and Team India.
With Dravid ending his tenure as Team India Head Coach with a World Cup triumph, his successor will definitely be motivated to win much more laurels for India. Because that is what Dravid's legacy at any position or responsibility he holds, is all about.
