Table of Contents
In the aftermath of India‘s historic T20 World Cup victory, off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin heaped unbridled praise on head coach Rahul Dravid, terming him the architect of the team’s success. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin painted a vivid picture of the emotional outpouring that followed the team’s triumph.
Ravichandran Ashwin reveals his favourite moment
Ashwin’s words underscored Dravid’s immense emotional investment in the team’s journey. He stated that his favourite memory of India’s celebration was when Rahul hugged the cup and cried.
“My moment was When Virat Kohli called Rahul Dravid and gave the cup… I saw him hug the cup and cry. Rahul Dravid screamed and cried. I saw him enjoy. I felt that a lot,” Ashwin reminisced.
Ashwin’s revelation about the unsung hero
Ashwin was effusive in his appreciation for Dravid’s role behind the scenes when he shared about Rahul’s fears, his role as a skipper in the 2007 ODI World Cup, and his always being the team man.
“I want to talk about a person who is sacred. 2007, 50-over World Cup. India gets knocked out. Rahul Dravid, the captain at that point of time. He doesn’t captain the one-day side after that. He has been with the Indian team. If something doesn’t go well, if the Indian team goes out, if they lose a match, immediately, they ask what Rahul Dravid is doing,” he mentioned.
The off-spinner emphasized the immense pressure Dravid has been under, particularly in the wake of India’s past failures in ICC tournaments.
“I know what he has been doing with this team for the past 2-3 years. I know how balanced he has been. I know how hard he has worked to change this approach. I know what he has given each of his players. Even when he is just sitting at home, he has been planning how to do this and that,” Ashwin added.
Also READ: Indian Head coach Gautam Gambhir shuts down the chatter on his relationship with Virat Kohli
A transformative coach
Dravid’s tenure has been marked by a discernible shift in India’s approach to the game. The team has shown greater adaptability, resilience, and a willingness to embrace new challenges. Ashwin attributed much of this transformation to Dravid’s influence. Under Dravid’s tutelage, India have emerged as a formidable force across all formats. The team’s ability to chase down daunting targets, defend low scores, and perform under pressure has been a hallmark of their success.
While the spotlight has often been on the star players, the unsung work of the coach has laid the foundation for India’s dominance. Dravid’s meticulous planning, attention to detail, and unwavering belief in his players have been instrumental in the team’s journey to the pinnacle of world cricket. India will start their cycle with the new coach, Gautam Gambhir, on July 27 against Sri Lanka for the white ball series after the conclusion of Dravid’s coaching contract.
