Rahul Dravid had initially planned to step down as India’s head coach after the 2023 ODI World Cup, but a call from Rohit Sharma changed his mind.
India’s triumphant T20 World Cup 2024 final marked the end of Rahul Dravid’s tenure as the head coach. While stars like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah have been prominent on the field, Dravid’s contributions behind the scenes have been significant. However, few expected Dravid to remain with the team after the heart-wrenching loss in the ODI World Cup final last year. It was, however, a phone call from captain Rohit Sharma that persuaded Dravid to stay on.
In an interview with the Indian Express, Indian batter Suryakumar Yadav disclosed that Rohit and BCCI secretary Jay Shah managed to convince Dravid to continue coaching until the T20 World Cup in 2024. After India secured their victory in Barbados, Dravid expressed his gratitude to Rohit for that crucial phone call.
“At the end, he thanked Rohit and said, ‘Thank you, Rohit, for that call in November,’ because he was contemplating stepping down after our defeat in the 50-over World Cup, but Rohit and Jay Shah urged him to stay,” Suryakumar revealed.
Dravid’s celebration of India’s T20 World Cup win was incredibly jubilant. When Virat Kohli handed him the trophy, Dravid’s expression was pure joy, a rare sight given his usual demeanor. Suryakumar believes that Dravid will treasure a photo from that moment for a long time.
“That 30-second video, where he took the trophy and screamed in joy… that moment of pure happiness. I think I’ll keep that clip forever,” he said.
Reflecting on Dravid’s impact, Suryakumar noted that the head coach shielded the players from public expectations, pressure, and provided them with a sense of comfort.
“The ‘wall’ never hides (laughs) and the ‘wall of Indiranagar’ can’t be hidden. He built a wall that protected us from people’s expectations and pressure, giving us a comfort zone,” Suryakumar added.
“Virat also mentioned recently about how Dravid’s experience and approach allowed players freedom in this format. If a player felt a decision was right, Dravid would support it without imposing his views. He was empathetic and thoughtful, considering what others felt. These are the things that often get overlooked after a victory. His contribution was immense, and his sense of humor is fantastic,” he emphasized.
