As India secured the esteemed T20 World Cup trophy for the second time, Rahul Dravid reflected on his tenure as the head coach of the Men in Blue, describing it as an incredible journey. India triumphed over South Africa by seven runs in the final match of the T20 World Cup 2024 held in Barbados. This decisive match marked Dravid's final game as head coach for the Men in Blue.
Addressing the media post-match, Dravid expressed his gratitude to the team for enabling him to claim the T20 World Cup 2024, noting that it was a gratifying experience to win such a prestigious accolade. The outgoing coach emphasized that he did not view this victory as a form of redemption.
"As a player, I was not fortunate enough to win a trophy, but I always gave my utmost in every game. I was fortunate to have the chance to coach this team, and it was this group of players who made it possible for me to win this trophy," Dravid explained. "It's a wonderful feeling, yet it doesn't feel like I've achieved personal redemption; it was simply the role I was fulfilling. I thoroughly enjoyed working with Rohit and his team; it has been a fantastic journey," he added.
Dravid also spoke about Rohit Sharma's retirement from T20 internationals, praising the captain for his personal qualities and dedication. "I will greatly miss him as a person... what stands out is his character, the respect he has shown me, his care and commitment to the team, and his unwavering energy. He never shied away from challenges. For me, it will be the person I miss the most," he concluded.
With an impressive tally of 4231 runs in 159 matches, Rohit Sharma holds the title of the highest scorer in the format. He also boasts the record for the most centuries (five) in T20 internationals. Sharma has been part of two T20 World Cup victories: the first in 2007 and the latest in 2024 as captain.
