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Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has called for Bharat Ratna for former India's head coach Rahul Dravid, India's highest civilian honor. Gavaskar believes Dravid's immense contributions to Indian cricket deserve this recognition. This call comes after India's triumphant T20 World Cup win in the USA and the West Indies, which marked the culmination of Dravid's successful tenure as head coach. Sachin Tendulkar remains the only cricketer to have received the Bharat Ratna. He was awarded the honor in 2014, a year after his retirement. Gavaskar lauded Dravid's achievements as both a player and a coach. He commended Dravid's role as a ‘great talent groomer’ during his second innings in cricket. This includes his time leading the National Cricket Academy and coaching the Indian team across various age groups.
"It would be apt if the Government of India honours him with the Bharat Ratna, for that's what he has truly been," Gavaskar wrote in his column for the Mid-Day.
“Earlier in the year, the Bharat Ratna was given to some leaders who had done yeoman service to society. Even their most ardent supporters will agree that the influence they wielded was mostly restricted to their party and to the part of the country where they came from. Dravid's achievements have given joy across all party lines and across caste, creed, and communities and brought untold happiness to the whole country. Surely, that deserves the highest accolade the country can give,” former India skipper further stated.
"C'mon everybody, please join me in asking the Government to recognise one of the greatest sons of India. Bharat Ratna, Rahul Sharad Dravid. Sounds terrific, doesn't it?" Gavaskar added.
While India's ODI World Cup heartbreak in November 2023 almost led to Rahul Dravid's departure as head coach, a phone call from captain Rohit Sharma convinced him to stay on. This decision proved pivotal, as Dravid and Rohit's leadership fostered an aggressive brand of T20 cricket that culminated in India's World Cup victory. This win wasn't the only indicator of the strong bond between coach and captain. Dravid's emotional outburst after the final in Barbados, and his unrestrained joy during the victory parade in Mumbai, stood in stark contrast to his usual stoic demeanor. This outpouring of emotion echoed the significance of the win, not just for India, but for Dravid's coaching journey as well. Sunil Gavaskar further emphasized the importance of this successful partnership between Dravid and Rohit Sharma during India's triumphant T20 World Cup campaign.
"While the players naturally took all the limelight as they should, there was the support staff led by the one and only Rahul Dravid who also had a massive role to play in the victory. What a terrific combo the two Rs made. Totally team-oriented, completely selfless, and prepared to do anything and everything for Team India," Gavaskar wrote.
"His calmness also would have rubbed off on the team as could be seen in the way they kept their nerve in the close games against Pakistan and the final when South Africa looked like they were running away with the game. He has left on a high with the gratitude of a cricket-crazy nation," he concluded.
Dravid's coaching tenure ended on a high note, coinciding with the T20 World Cup victory in Barbados. The win was further marked by the retirement of several senior players, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja, all stepping down from the T20I format.
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