June 29, 2024

‘Totally against my values’ –  Rahul Dravid Reacts to the Viral #DoItForDravid Trend

As the 2024 T20 World Cup final approaches, Indian head coach Rahul Dravid has downplayed any suggestion that the team is motivated to “do it for him.” With the tournament marking the end of Dravid’s tenure as head coach of the Indian Senior Men’s team, the final against South Africa in Bridgetown represents a pivotal moment. However, Dravid has remained composed, shifting the spotlight away from personal narratives and toward the team’s collective goal of winning a global tournament.

Dravid, who took charge of the Indian team after the 2021 T20 World Cup, has been an integral part of India’s cricketing setup as a player and coach. His appointment came with high expectations, and over the past three years, he has overseen India’s campaigns across formats with mixed but often commendable results. Despite not securing an ICC trophy yet, Dravid’s tenure has been marked by significant achievements, including a runner-up finish at the 2021-23 World Test Championship and another second-place finish in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup.

India’s performances in T20 cricket have been particularly noteworthy under Dravid’s guidance. After a semi-final appearance in the 2022 T20 World Cup, the Indian team made it to the final in 2024, displaying consistency in the game’s shortest format. The final in Bridgetown will be a stern test against a formidable South African side. Still, India’s journey to the title clash has been one of resilience, adaptability, and strategic brilliance, much of which can be credited to Dravid’s steady influence.

However, Dravid has maintained that the narrative should not revolve around his farewell, emphasizing that the focus should remain on the team’s mission. “We are here to win for India, not for any individual,” he said in a recent press conference, making it clear that while the occasion is significant, personal milestones are secondary to securing the country’s larger goal of ensuring the T20 World Cup.

During his tenure, Dravid has instilled a sense of calm and professionalism in the team, qualities that have served Indian cricket well in high-pressure situations. His ability to nurture young talent while maintaining the balance with senior players has been a hallmark of his coaching approach. This is evident in the seamless integration of players like Shubman Gill and Arshdeep Singh into the senior setup, who have played crucial roles in India’s journey to the final.

Dravid’s success as a coach extends beyond the senior team. Before taking over the senior side, he had a successful stint with the India Under-19 team, guiding them to the final of the 2016 ICC Under-19 World Cup and winning the 2018 edition. His ability to develop and mentor young cricketers has been instrumental in shaping India’s future stars. This legacy will likely endure long after his coaching stint ends.

As India heads into the T20 World Cup final, Dravid’s contribution to Indian cricket as a player and coach cannot be understated. His calm demeanor, strategic insight, and ability to build a cohesive team culture have been critical to India’s recent successes. Regardless of the outcome in Bridgetown, Rahul Dravid’s tenure as India’s head coach will be remembered as a period of growth, development, and sustained excellence at the highest level of international cricket.

In the end, while the focus may naturally shift toward Dravid’s departure, the Indian team, under his leadership, will be determined to script a fitting farewell by lifting the T20 World Cup trophy.

Dravid downplays social media buzz

Ahead of the final, the hashtag #DoItForDravid gained significant traction on social media, highlighting the enduring legacy of one of India’s greatest cricketers and most successful captains. However, Dravid, known for his humility, chose to downplay the attention, focusing instead on the team’s collective efforts.

When asked about his thoughts on the trend, however, Dravid downplayed it: “It’s totally against who I am as a person and totally against my values. You know, I don’t really believe in all this ‘do it for somebody’.

“I love that quote about somebody asking someone: ‘Why do you want to climb Mt Everest?’ He says, ‘I wanna climb Mt Everest because it’s there.’ Why do we want to win the World Cup? Because it’s there. It’s not for anyone, for anybody: it’s for there to win. We wanna play good cricket.”

True to his gentlemanly nature, #TeamIndia coach #RahulDravid remains humble as he responds to the nation’s cry to ‘Do It For Dravid’!

Will the #MenInBlue continue their top form & give THE WALL a special farewell? 😍#Final 👉 #INDvSA | TOMORROW, SAT, 6PM | #T20WorldCupOnStar pic.twitter.com/uB3QVps7Dm

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) June 28, 2024

Dravid’s response won accolades, particularly from R Ashwin, who felt that “narratives of building it up for someone in a team sport is the worst thing that can happen for a healthy team environment.”

“I’ve been lucky enough to know you, to work with you, and I’m not surprised with this answer at all,” responded Jatin Sapru, the anchor.

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