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July 9, 2024
Rohit Sharma, the captain of India’s T20 World Cup-winning squad, recently paid a moving and genuine homage to former head coach Rahul Dravid, whose leadership helped the Indian side win their 2024 T20 World Cup. World Cup triumph. This victory marked a significant milestone for both individuals—Rohit, who bid farewell to T20 internationals after the tournament, and Dravid, whose tenure as head coach ended with the expiration of his contract. Their journey together, culminating in the elusive ICC trophy win, was a moment of pride and reflection for both.
Rohit took to social media ten days after India’s momentous victory to pen his thoughts, particularly emphasizing Dravid’s impact on his leadership and the team’s culture. In his Instagram post, Rohit praised the former coach for his tactical brilliance, calm demeanor, and ability to foster a positive, comfortable environment within the squad. This emotional message was more than just a reflection of their shared success; it was an acknowledgment of the personal and professional bond that had developed over the years.
Rohit has always been vocal about his admiration for Rahul Dravid, an iconic figure in Indian cricket. Known as “The Wall” for his resilience and steady hand during his playing days, Dravid was a role model for many, including Rohit. Rohit’s tribute echoed his respect for the legendary cricketer-turned-coach, who had influenced his leadership style and approach to the game.
In his tribute, Rohit mentioned how he had always looked up to Dravid, not just for his accomplishments on the field but also for his humility, work ethic, and calm demeanor under pressure. Rohit highlighted Dravid’s ability to lead by example, focusing on preparation, hard work, and staying grounded despite the highs and lows of international cricket. For Rohit, these qualities made Dravid an ideal mentor and someone he had aspired to emulate in his own captaincy.
Following the 2021 T20 World Cup, Rahul Dravid was appointed head coach of India He stepped into the role with a wealth of experience, having previously coached the India Under-19 and A teams and served as the head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA). While Dravid had been known for his meticulous approach to the game, his early tenure with the senior team came with challenges.
India’s disappointing first-round exit from the 2021 T20 World Cup in Oman and the UAE led to a change in leadership, and Dravid was brought in to revive the team’s fortunes. He led India through important competitions over the ensuing years, such as the 2022 T20 World Cup, the 2023 World Test Championship (WTC) final, and the 2023 ODI World Cup. However, India fell short in all these tournaments, leading to criticism from various quarters.
As a coach, Dravid has experienced both highs and lows. While the Indian team consistently performed well in bilateral series and maintained its dominance at home, it struggled to cross the finish line in multi-nation tournaments. Yet, despite these setbacks, Dravid remained focused on building a solid team culture, developing young talents, and ensuring India remained competitive at the highest level. His calm and composed demeanor was lauded by players, who appreciated his efforts to create a stress-free environment.
The 2024 T20 World Cup in the Caribbean was a contest that would either make or break Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid. With Dravid’s contract set to expire after the event and Rohit nearing the twilight of his career, both men were under immense pressure to deliver an ICC trophy. India hasn’t accomplished this since winning the Champions Trophy in 2013.
As fate would have it, the stars aligned for India under their leadership. The team played a dominant brand of cricket, with Rohit leading from the front with his aggressive captaincy and Dravid providing the much-needed strategic guidance. India’s victory in the final was a culmination of years of hard work, perseverance, and overcoming past disappointments. This victory was lovely for Dravid, as it came on his final day as India’s head coach, marking the perfect send-off for one of India’s cricketing legends.
An era came to an end when Rohit Sharma decided to stop playing T20 internationals following the World Cup.As one of the most successful captains in the format, Rohit had led India with distinction after winning the T20 World Cup as a player in 2007. His tenure as captain was defined by his calm leadership, tactical understanding, and ability to inspire the team in high-pressure situations.
In his homage to Dravid, Rohit considered his path and gave the coach credit for his constant encouragement and leadership during his captaincy. Rohit expressed his gratitude for Dravid’s trust in him and the bond they had formed over the years. As he stepped away from the shortest format, Rohit acknowledged that the 2024 T20 World Cup win was the perfect way to cap off his T20I career.
Not only was Rohit’s heartfelt homage to Dravid focused on the 2024 T20 World Cup victory. It reflected his respect and admiration for a man who had played a pivotal role in shaping his career. Dravid’s influence on the Indian team, both as a player and coach, has been immense, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations.
Dravid and Rohit will be remembered for years to come for their services to Indian cricket as they go on to other chapters in their life. Rohit’s heartfelt words captured the essence of their journey together—a journey of mutual respect, hard work, and shared success. For Indian cricket fans, the 2024 T20 World Cup victory will forever be associated with the bond between these two legends.
“Dear Rahul bhai, I have been trying to find the right words to properly express my feelings on this but I’m not sure I ever will so here’s my attempt.
“Since my childhood days I have looked up to you just like billions of others but I was lucky enough to get to work with you this closely. You are an absolute stalwart of this game but you left all of your accolades and achievements at the door and walked in as our coach and came on a level where we all felt comfortable enough to say just about anything to you.
“That is your gift, your humility and your love for this game even after all this time. I have learnt so much from you and every memory will be cherished.”
Adding a funny anecdote to his tribute, Rohit said that Dravid is referred to as his “work wife” by his Ritika, his wife, before signing off with gratitude.
“My wife refers to you as my work wife and I’m lucky to get to call you that too 😊. This was the only thing missing from your arsenal and I’m so happy that we got to achieve it together. Rahul bhai it has been an absolute privilege to get to call you my confidant, my coach and my friend 🫡”
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Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and cricket sportsbook app reviews. As an author for Top Cricket News, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for cricket, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.
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