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Legendary Indian cricketer and former national team head coach Rahul Dravid was given a hero’s welcome at a prestigious cricket academy in Bengaluru on Monday.
Rahul Dravid receives Guard of Honour
Dravid, who recently guided the Indian team to a historic T20 World Cup triumph in the West Indies and USA, was greeted with bouquets and warm hugs from senior members of the academy as he arrived. A group of young cricketers then lined up to form a guard of honour, holding their bats aloft to salute the iconic figure.
Here’s the video
Ever the gentleman, Dravid was visibly embarrassed by the grand reception, but true to his nature, he urged the kids to lower their bats.
Dravid’s illustrious career
Dravid’s impact on Indian cricket is immeasurable, and his legacy as one of India’s most decorated batters will be remembered for generations to come. He took up the responsibility of shaping Indian cricket’s future, first as the coach of India A and Under-19 teams, then as chief of the National Cricket Academy before his ascension to Team India’s head coach post.
Dravid’s tenure as India’s head coach was a roller-coaster ride, with both highs and lows. While the team endured a few setbacks, such as losing the Test series in South Africa, the World Test Championship final, and the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup, they were overshadowed by the team’s remarkable achievements under his guidance.
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Historic T20 World Cup victory
Under Dravid’s leadership, India became the No. 1-ranked team in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is towards the end of his tenure. They won the Test series against Australia and England at home, conquered the Asia Cup in 2023, and notched up countless bilateral series wins against the West Indies, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand. To cap it all off, Dravid’s tenure culminated with a historic T20 World Cup triumph in the West Indies, ending India’s 11-year-long wait for an ICC trophy.
This achievement is particularly significant, as Dravid had agreed to one final run on the insistence of captain Rohit Sharma, despite initially planning to step down after the 2023 World Cup.
Void left by Dravid’s departure
Dravid’s departure from the national team setup will undoubtedly leave a void that will be challenging to fill, even if Gautam Gambhir, who is taking over the reins from him, steps in. The warm reception he received at the Bengaluru Cricket Academy is a testament to the immense respect and admiration he commands within the cricketing fraternity and among the fans.
