The Kensington Oval in Barbados became a sea of jubilant blue on Saturday as India clinched the T20 World Cup 2024 title with a nail-biting seven-run victory over South Africa. This clash wasn’t just about ending an 11-year ICC trophy drought for Indian cricket; it was a momentous occasion for head coach Rahul Dravid, marking his final hurrah at the helm of the national team.
A farewell steeped in history
Dravid, renowned for his unwavering composure throughout his playing career and coaching tenure, surprised everyone with an uncharacteristic display of raw emotion during the victory celebrations. While the players initially reveled on the field, a heartwarming scene unfolded. Virat Kohli, the Player of the Final, along with other teammates, insisted Dravid join the revelry. This led to a defining moment – Kohli handing the coveted trophy to Dravid, who erupted in a joyous celebration, a stark contrast to his usual calm demeanour.
Here’s the video:
Watching Rahul Dravid like this. 🥳
Thanks to the entire team for giving Dravid this moment. 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/aE0vOnqKig
— Narundar (@NarundarM) June 29, 2024
raw emotions from rahul dravid.
as a 90s kid, quite amazing to see. pic.twitter.com/S1LXNscBVF
— Venkat Ananth (@venkatananth) June 29, 2024
This outburst resonated far beyond the joyous celebration. Dravid, who captained India during their disappointing group stage exit at the 2007 ODI World Cup, had never experienced the elation of a World Cup win as a player. His coaching journey, though marked by success in reaching the finals of the World Test Championship and the 2023 ODI World Cup, had culminated in heartbreak on both occasions, with losses to Australia. While the Asia Cup 2023 title stood as a significant white-ball achievement under his belt, the yearning for a World Cup trophy remained unfulfilled.
Also WATCH: Kohli, Rohit, Hardik and Siraj in tears as India beat South Africa to seal the T20 World Cup 2024
A roar of triumph and farewell
Saturday’s victory served as the perfect culmination of Dravid’s coaching odyssey. He not only orchestrated India’s return to World Cup glory but also witnessed the blossoming of a new generation of cricketing heroes. His animated celebration, a stark departure from his usual stoicism, mirrored the emotions of the entire nation – relief, immense joy, and the immense pride of seeing their “Wall” finally conquer the World Cup stage.
This wasn’t just a win for India; it was a testament to Dravid’s unwavering dedication and strategic brilliance. He transformed a talented squad into a cohesive unit, instilled in them the belief to win, and ultimately orchestrated their ascent to the pinnacle of T20 cricket. Dravid’s emotional roar wasn’t just a personal triumph; it was a victory for his coaching philosophy, his faith in his players, and a fitting farewell symphony for a legend of Indian cricket.
