Had it not been for a phone call from India's captain Rohit Sharma, urging him to stay on after the disappointment of the ODI World Cup final loss, Rahul Dravid would not have continued as the head coach, he revealed in his farewell address to the team following their triumph in the T20 World Cup.
Dravid's coaching stint was initially set to conclude after the ODI World Cup, where India narrowly lost to Australia despite a strong winning streak. However, the coaching staff received an extension until the conclusion of the T20 World Cup, which India won with a thrilling seven-run victory over South Africa.
In a heartfelt moment captured in a BCCI video, Dravid expressed gratitude to Rohit Sharma for persuading him to stay on, saying, "Ro, thank you very much for making that call in November and asking me to continue." He acknowledged the privilege of working with the team and thanked Rohit for the discussions and camaraderie they shared.
Dravid commended the players for their exceptional performances throughout the tournament and encouraged them to cherish the victory. "All of you will remember these moments," he said, emphasizing that such achievements leave lasting memories beyond mere statistics.
Reflecting on the team's journey and resilience, Dravid spoke about overcoming past disappointments and praised the collective effort that led to their success. He acknowledged the sacrifices made by families, coaches, and support staff, highlighting their crucial role in the players' achievements.
Acknowledging the support from BCCI officials and others behind the scenes, Dravid credited their contributions to the team's success. In closing, he expressed deep gratitude for the respect and effort shown by everyone towards the coaching and support staff.
Dravid's speech captured a moment of celebration and reflection, marking the culmination of a successful coaching tenure highlighted by India's T20 World Cup triumph.
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