The India head coach praised his players for bouncing back from a difficult situation and denied rumours that this was a redemption for him.
By ESPNcricinfo Staff
India defeated South Africa by seven runs to win the T20 World Cup 2024 in Barbados, bringing to an end their 11-year journey to win an ICC trophy, but outgoing coach Rahul Dravid believes it may not be long before his team wins another title.
“There is incredible talent in Indian cricket right now,” Dravid said after the final. “The energy and confidence of the players is on another level. We have been chasing the ICC Trophy for a long time and I think the team will continue to carry that confidence and win many trophies in the next four, five, six years because there is no lack of ability and talent in this team.”
“We tried hard and there were moments where we felt we were playing good cricket but we just couldn’t get over that hurdle. But after today I’m very hopeful these boys will go forward and win lots of trophies.”
Dravid replaced Ravi Shastri in November 2021. His initial term was for two years, which was then extended until the T20 World Cup in 2024. Under his leadership, India reached the finals of the World Test Championship and ODI World Cup last year, but missed out on the trophy. Till Saturday, the last ICC title India had won was the Champions Trophy in 2013.
Asked about India’s preparations for the T20 World Cup, Dravid said, “Honestly, this is a two-year journey. This is not just a journey of this T20 World Cup. When you think about the composition of this team, the type of skills we wanted, the players we wanted, those discussions started in September.” [November] 2021.
“So it’s been two years of hard work. It’s not just this World Cup effort. I think it culminated in this World Cup. The disappointment in Australia was [at the 2022 T20 World Cup] And then the One-Day World Cup. There’s a lot packed into it. This doesn’t feel like a one-month journey, it feels like a two-year journey. Everything that we’ve been trying to build, everything that we’ve been trying to create, it all feels like it’s all come to fruition here on this beautiful afternoon in Barbados.”
Dravid was full of praise for his players and their fighting spirit was on full display in the final. At one point, South Africa needed just 30 runs with six wickets to spare, but India kept up the pressure and went on to win by seven runs.
“I’m not normally at a loss for words but I’ve been really at a loss for words these last few hours,” he said. “I couldn’t be more proud of this team. We’ve had to fight in difficult conditions, and we did today, but I think it’s a great testament to the fighting spirit of the team. We lost three wickets in our first six innings. [overs]It’s unfortunate that we were in this situation with 30 balls to go, but the guys kept fighting and kept believing, so I think that’s a great credit to them.
“As a member of the coaching staff, I’m really grateful for what they do in pressure situations so we can enjoy these moments. I’m happy to be a part of this locker room and it’s something I’ll cherish forever. So I’m really grateful to the whole team and support staff for making this possible.”
Dravid has never won a World Cup as a player – he captained India to a first round exit in the 2007 ODI World Cup, which was also played in the West Indies – but Dravid is not looking at this win as revenge.
“There is no redemption. I’m not the kind of person who thinks about redemption. As a player, I wasn’t fortunate enough to win trophies. But I tried my best, I gave my best whenever I played, but I didn’t win trophies. That’s part of sport. There are a lot of players I know who didn’t win trophies. I was given the opportunity to coach a team and with the help of these guys, we were able to win this trophy. I was lucky.”
“It feels good but I’m not looking for any redemption. It’s just the job I was doing. I loved the job. I loved working with Rohit. [Sharma] And this team. It’s been an amazing journey and I’ve had so much fun.”
Dravid had informed the BCCI earlier this year of his decision not to seek re-appointment, meaning that while he was ending his tenure as coach on a high note, he was not looking to leave “any sort of legacy” behind.
“I’m happy that I was able to give my best and it’s not just me,” he said. “I’d like to sincerely thank the support staff that I’ve worked with. I feel fortunate to have worked with some exceptionally hard-working professionals, a talented coaching staff and other support staff who have created a fantastic environment led by Rohit. I’m happy that with a bit of luck we were able to win this trophy.”
When asked what he misses most about Rohit, Dravid said, “I will miss him as a person. Forget about cricket and as captain. But what really impressed me was the kind of person he was, the respect he showed towards me, the care and commitment he showed towards the team, the energy he put in and he never ran away from that.”
“So for me, that’s what I’ll remember most. He’s a great captain, a great player, he’s going to score goals, he’s going to win trophies, but I think what I love most is the kind of person he is.”
India will now be without both Rohit and Virat Kohli in T20Is as both have announced their retirement from the format, and BCCI president Roger Binny said the team will need “two to three years” to fill the gap.
“A lot of cricketers have come out of the IPL and it will take time to bridge the gap,” Binny said after the final. “They have contributed a lot and it will take time. Maybe in the next two-three years the team will get back to its original strength without them.”
Meanwhile, the BCCI has begun selection of the next coach with Gautam Gambhir being the front-runner, but Binny did not reveal much about it.
“Nothing concrete has been decided yet. Gautam Gambhir is experienced. He has worked with the team. He has played Test matches, ODIs and T20s. Let’s see.”