R Ashwin recalls the emotional moment when Rahul Dravid hugged the ICC T20 World Cup trophy and shed tears after guiding India to their first major ICC title in 11 years. This poignant scene marked the conclusion of Dravid’s coaching tenure, leading the Men in Blue to a narrow seven-run victory over South Africa on June 29. Dravid, a cricketing legend who did not secure a significant ICC World Cup title as a player or captain, finally achieved redemption in his final role as head coach.
In late July, Rahul Dravid’s successor as head coach, Gautam Gambhir, was announced, with his appointment made official. Gambhir was scheduled to begin his tenure with the upcoming white-ball tour to Sri Lanka starting on July 27th. Ashwin praised Dravid’s achievements despite the challenges he encountered in his career as both a player and coach, including India’s early exit from the 2007 50-over World Cup. Ashwin recognized Dravid’s significant influence on the team in recent years, highlighting his transformative impact on their approach.
‘My moment came when Virat Kohli called Rahul Dravid and handed him the cup. I witnessed Dravid embracing the trophy, tears streaming down his face. He shouted with joy and shed tears of happiness. It was a profound experience for me. In 2007, during the 50-over World Cup, India faced elimination. Rahul Dravid was the captain then. Following that, he did not continue as captain of the one-day side. He has remained closely associated with the Indian team. Whenever things don’t go well if the Indian team exits a tournament or loses a match, the immediate question is about Rahul Dravid’s role,’ Ashwin shared on his YouTube channel.
Ashwin highlighted Dravid’s meticulous planning and unwavering commitment, stating, ‘I have witnessed firsthand his efforts with this team over the past 2-3 years. I have seen his balance and witnessed his dedication to transforming our approach. I have observed his investment in every player. Even in his downtime at home, he strategizes on how to improve and innovate.
