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India men's cricket team head coach Rahul Dravid did not hold back his emotions after Rohit Sharma-led side beat South Africa by seven runs in T20 World Cup 2024 final. 17 years after Dravid-led India faced shock exit from ODI World Cup 2007 in West Indies, life came full circle for him. Earlier, Dravid was part of the side which made it to ODI World Cup 2003 but lost to Australia in the final. The former India captain said he tried his best but wasn’t lucky enough to win the World Cup trophy as a player.
"I really have felt short of words over the last few hours. I just could not be more proud of this team, the way we had to fight difficult situations," Dravid said after the triumph.
"Even today I think it was a great testimony... for the team to lose three wickets in the first six overs, to be in the kind of position we were in, but the boys just kept fighting, they kept believing.
"You know, as a player, I was not lucky enough to win a trophy, but I tried my best whenever I played and it happens, it's part of sports," the 51-year-old added.
Dravid doesn’t want the ‘redemption’ label
While many feel it is redemption of sorts for Dravid, the head coach in his typical style said that he was doing his job.
"Firstly, there is no redemption. I am not one of those guys who thinks about redemption and those kind of things. There are a lot of other players I know who have not been able to win a trophy.
"I was lucky to be given the opportunity to coach, and I was lucky that this bunch of boys made it possible for me to be able to win a trophy and celebrate.
"Nice feeling, but it's not like I am aiming for some redemption, it's just a job that I was doing. I loved doing the job, I loved working with Rohit and this team. It's been a great journey and I have really enjoyed it."
Dravid ‘not a legacy person’
Dravid thanked the players and the coaching staff to make his tenure as head coach successful.
"Just phenomenal, just lovely to be a part of a dressing room like this. It's a memory of a lifetime for me, so I am thankful and grateful to the team and the support staff who have made this possible," he said.
However, the former India batter does not believe in legacies and considers himself lucky to be part of a group that ended the 11-year drought for an ICC trophy.
"I am not a legacy person, I am not looking for legacies, I just feel glad that we could give our best. I think I have been lucky to have been working with an exceptionally professional bunch, intelligent bunch of coaches and other support staff who have made it possible to create a fantastic environment.
"I am glad that a bit of luck has resulted in this trophy. I couldn't be happier for this team, and I couldn't be happier for so many of the Indian fans who are coming out to these games," he added.
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