India’s captain, Rohit Sharma tried to encourage the departing coach to reapply for the role. But, unfortunately, he could not! Sharma, who coached teams under Dravid and played alongside him in the IPL, expressed his desire for the link to continue.
Yet, Dravid clearly said that he will only extend his career once his present tenure expires in 2024 with the T20 World Cup. On the other side, “I tried convincing him to stay, but obviously, there are a lot of things that he needs to look after as well,” Rohit said.
“But yeah, I’ve personally enjoyed my time with him. I’m sure the rest of the guys will say the same. It’s been great working with him and I hope…I’m not going to say anything, actually. I’m not going to say anything.” Recalling their time together, Sharma became emotional. This shows respect for his mentor and first Indian captain.
Rohit Reflects on Dravid’s Career-Long Influence
“Other than the big silver (ICC trophy), we won all the major tournaments and series,” Sharma continued, praising Dravid. Working with him and determining the team’s path has been a pleasure.
And it makes a big difference that he buys into that idea. And he was the first to arrive and declare, “This is what our team needs to do.” Whatever happens, when he gets here, we’ll at least give it our best attempt.
As for Dravid, the right-hander praised his persistent will throughout his career and expressed his desire to pick his brains when he took over as head coach of Team India in November 2021. Rohit added that working with Dravid has been incredibly beneficial and that he will always treasure their relationship.
“I’m sure each member of the team handles competitions like the World Cup in a unique way. They’ll make the appropriate calls, too, I’m sure. However, I believe that it’s crucial to keep an eye on the present. Just consider the tasks we have ahead of us tomorrow. After you play the game well, decide where to go next. We promise not to overthink things or overwork ourselves.”
Feelings Regarding Dravid’s Departure
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Finally, Rohit considered his long-standing relationship with Dravid. He mentioned that when he made his international debut in Ireland, “The Wall” was his first Indian captain. When Sharma was going to the tea, he remembered seeing Dravid play during Test matches.
For India, the missing silverware has turned into a bit of a barrier. In 2007, Rohit Sharma made his debut for his country as a member of the T20 World Cup-winning squad. A member of the 2011 ODI World Cup winning team was Virat Kohli. In 2013, they both took home the Champions Trophy. However, India hasn’t taken home a world championship since.
Rohit was completely disheartened to lose the ODI World Cup final last year. He’s talked about how difficult it was to get out of that slump. He indicated he didn’t want to focus on the championship before the summit clash.
“I have thought a lot about all of this,” Sharma stated. “Now I’m just going to play my game, support the squad in whatever way I can, and bring everyone together to play as a team. That is what I intend to focus on. Not looking at the big picture.
“I don’t believe such types of thinking will be really helpful. Staying in the moment and doing what is necessary at the time is critical, and that is what I will focus on.”, Rohit concluded.
Also Read: Oman Captain ‘Fires Bold Warning’ To Australia Ahead Of T20 WC Clash
About the Author
Zartash Zulfiqar is a passionate cricket writer whose love for cricket shines through in every word. From match analyses to player profiles, she delivers insightful commentary that resonates with fans worldwide. Stay tuned for the latest from the world of cricket, brought to you by Zartash.
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