Indian cricket team’s head coach Rahul Dravid was jubilant after the team’s T20 World Cup 2024 title win at Kensington Oval, Barbados on June 29. In a rousing dressing room speech, Dravid thanked everyone for making the sacrifices made to end India’s drought for an ICC trophy. Towards the end of his speech, Dravid turned to skipper Rohit Sharma and revealed the call he got in November after ODI World Cup 2023 asking him to extend his tenure as head coach till the T20 World Cup.
“Ro, thank you very much for making that call. I remember in November and asking me to continue. It's been such a privilege and a pleasure to work with each and every one of you, but also with Ro. Thank you for your time. I know as captain and coach, there are a lot of times we have to chat. We have to agree; we have to disagree. It's been brilliant to know each and every one of you,” Dravid said in a video posted by the BCCI.
‘You will remember the moments, not runs and wickets’
Dravid had bitter memories in West Indies as captain when India got knocked out of ODI World Cup 2007 from the group stage. He said that the players will not remember their achievements but the moments will live on. He also recalled the times when the team could not cross the finish line.
“Thank you to everyone for making me a part of what is an incredible memory. I think all of you will remember the moments. I think it's not about the runs, wickets. You will never remember your career but you will remember moments like this. So let's really enjoy. I could not be more proud of you guys for coming back the way you did, the way you fought, the way we worked as a team, the resillience. We have faced disappointments over the years where we have come so close, we have never been able to cross the line. But what this bunch of boys has done, what all of you have done, what everyone in the support staff is done, the hard work we put in, the sacrifices that we have made. I think the whole country is really proud of each and everyone of you and what you have achieved, the 51-year-old said.
The sacrifices of families
Dravid also wanted the players to think of their families who have prioritised them and made this dream a reality.
“There are so many sacrifices that each and everyone of you made. To see your families here today enjoying it, so many of your families back home. Just think about all the sacrifices each and everyone of them has made since the time you were kids, for you to be here in the dressing room today. Your parents, your wife, your children, your brothers, your coaches, so many people have made so many sacrifices and worked so hard with you for you to enjoy this memory. I'm really proud to have been part of this memory. All I can say is thank you so much. I really am short of words which I'm usually not. For me to be part of this, I could not be more grateful, thankful for the respect, kindness and the effort each and everyone of you have shown to me, my coaching staff, support staff. Thank you so much,” he added.
Dravid thanks BCCI
In the end, he stressed that it is not about an individual and they won win team efforts. In addition, he thanked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as well.
“It is not about any individual, we won this as a team. We did everything we could for the last one month as a team. It is about all of us. Each and everyone of us comes through a system, an organisation which gives us the opportunity to play, he concluded.
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