Rohit Sharma convinced Rahul Dravid to continue as India head coach after the 2023 ODI World Cup heartbreak.
The Indian cricket team had a memorable 2023 ODI World Cup campaign as they stormed into the title clash, hunting down their opponents in style. However, their dreams came to a crushing end when they lost to Australia in the title clash.
The heartbreak left Rahul Dravid pondering over his future as the team head coach but a call from captain Rohit Sharma changed his mindset.
Rohit called Dravid and asked him to continue into the role while exhorting him to have another go at a world title alongside him in a few months’ time.
Rohit had 2024 T20 World Cup in mind.
“I wasn’t sure if I was going to continue after the 50-Over World Cup, and obviously, there was a great joy of having had a fantastic campaign but also a little bit of disappointment in the final that we could not get over the line,” Dravid recalled during a felicitation ceremony for the Indian cricket team at Wankhede Stadium on Thursday.
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Rohit and Dravid teamed up and went on to end India’s wait for their second ever T20 World Cup title after they first won it in 2007. India went unbeaten throughout the campaign and defeated South Africa in a thrilling finale to win the trophy.
“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 experience what I have experienced in Barbados and to experience what I have done here. Truly grateful and probably one of the best phone calls that I have received in my life,” Dravid said.
Dravid lavished high praise on India’s 15-man T20 World Cup squad, pointing out their fighting spirit and never-ending desire to improve.
“I think they are like family. It has been just incredible what these boys have done. Just the level of hard work, resilience, a 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.
Dravid has stepped away from the role following the world cup and the BCCI is expected to name a new coach later this month.
Dravid says he’s going to miss the adulation of the fans.
“I am going to miss this love. What we have seen today is absolutely phenomenal. What we have seen right from the time we have 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 said.
