As India clinched 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. In a post-match interview with journalists, Dravid expressed his gratitude to the team for securing his victory in the T20 World Cup 2024, noting that it was a gratifying experience to lift the prestigious trophy. The outgoing coach emphasized that he did not view this win as a form of redemption.
"As a player, I was not fortunate enough to win a trophy, but I always gave my best in every game. I was fortunate to have the chance to coach this team, and it was this group of talented players who made it possible for me to achieve this victory." Dravid continued, "It's a wonderful feeling, but it doesn't feel like I've achieved redemption; it was simply the role I was fulfilling. I thoroughly enjoyed working with Rohit and his team; it was a fantastic journey," he stated. Dravid also commented on Rohit Sharma's retirement from T20Is, praising the captain for his personal qualities and commitment.
"...I will greatly miss him as a person... what stands out to me is the kind of person he is, the respect he has shown me, his dedication and commitment to the team, his relentless energy, and his unwavering spirit. For me, it will be the person I will miss the most," he added. Rohit Sharma, with 4231 runs in 159 games, is the highest scorer in the format. He holds the record for the most hundreds (five) in T20 internationals and has won two T20 World Cups: the first in 2007 and the current one in 2024 as captain.
