Rahul Dravid concluded his tenure as India’s head coach on a high note, winning the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean. This victory was especially significant, coming 17 years after the disappointment of the 2007 50-over World Cup. Throughout his coaching career, Dravid consistently deflected attention from himself, emphasizing the importance of team success over individual accolades.
Dravid’s approach to coaching was rooted in his values of teamwork and humility. He was not comfortable with the “Do It For Dravid” campaign, preferring the team to focus on playing good cricket for its own sake rather than for any individual.
Jay Shah pens emotional message
“I express my sincere thanks and gratitude to Mr Rahul Dravid whose highly successful tenure as the Head Coach draws to a close. Under his guidance, #TeamIndia emerged as a dominant force across formats, including being crowned ICC Men’s T20 World Cup champions! His strategic acumen, persistent efforts to nurture talent and exemplary leadership has instilled a culture of excellence within the team and that is also the legacy his leaves behind. The Indian dressing room today is one cohesive unit standing together through challenges while revelling in each other’s success.”
Jay Shah expressed deep gratitude to Rahul Dravid as his successful tenure as head coach concluded. Shah highlighted Dravid’s pivotal role in transforming Team India into a dominant force across formats, including winning the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. He praised Dravid’s strategic brilliance, relentless talent development, and outstanding leadership, which cultivated a culture of excellence within the team. According to Shah, Dravid’s legacy is evident in the unity and resilience of the Indian dressing room, where players support each other through challenges and celebrate each other’s successes. Dravid’s impact on the team will be long-lasting and cherished.
Under Dravid, the Indian team saw significant changes. When he took charge after the 2021 T20 World Cup, he addressed the issues of groupism and insecurity within the team. Dravid’s communication and transparency helped players like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane return to the fold, while others like KL Rahul and Shubman Gill thrived.
Dravid also managed difficult transitions, such as moving beyond veterans like Ishant Sharma and Wriddhiman Saha, and later, Pujara and Rahane. His approach ensured that players understood why certain decisions were made, fostering a supportive environment.
One of Dravid’s strategic successes was advocating for three seamers, including Mohammed Shami, during last year’s World Cup, which paid off handsomely. Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma worked together to transform India into a formidable side across all formats.
Dravid’s legacy includes guiding India to three ICC finals in different formats across various continents, emphasizing his ability to manage transitions smoothly and make bold decisions. His coaching tenure ended fittingly with a World Cup win, completing a journey that began with the heartbreak of 2007.
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Telegram and Instagram
