Indian captain Rohit Sharma expressed his desire on Saturday to secure victory in the 50-over format as a befitting tribute to Dravid for his monumental contributions to Indian cricket.
Sunday might mark Dravid's final day in his coaching role, making it an opportune moment for a farewell gift to one of Indian cricket's legends, who missed winning major silverware as a player.
Reflecting on Dravid's unwavering support during the T20 World Cup, Rohit praised his coach's resilience in challenging times, emphasizing Dravid's significant role in guiding the team.
Dravid's impact on Indian cricket is described by Rohit as massive, and the captain acknowledges Dravid's desire to be part of a significant occasion like the upcoming title clash against Australia.
“The way he stood by the players in difficult times during the T20 World Cup, we had a good run until that semifinal and we lost and how he reacted to certain situations and informing the players about this is what we are looking at and all of that says a lot about him,” remarked Rohit on the eve of India’s title clash against Australia here,” Rohit said.
“Obviously, what he has done for Indian cricket is massive. He also feels that he wants to be part of this big occasion. It’s for us to do it for him,” he added.
Despite differing cricketing philosophies, Rohit highlights the alignment of ideas and strategies between them, crediting Dravid for providing the freedom to execute on the field.
Rohit emphasized Dravid's pivotal role in bringing clarity to the team's approach, highlighting the coach's agreement to divergent playing styles.
Despite the contrast in their cricketing approaches, Rohit appreciates Dravid's support and willingness to grant him the liberty to play in a manner that suits the team's goals.
“Clearly, looking at how Rahul bhai himself has played his cricket and how I am playing these days, obviously it’s quite contrasting,” Rohit said.
“For him to agree and give me that freedom and liberty to go and play the way we want to play, that says a lot about him,” he added.
As India prepares for the crucial encounter against Australia, Rohit sees it as an opportunity to pay homage to Dravid's invaluable influence on Indian cricket.
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