The ardent fan base of the Indian cricket team was recently treated with the sweetness of the T20 World Cup victory and cricket icon R. Ashwin was no exception. Ashwin narrated with lots of passion the time former Indian cricket team coach Rahul Dravid got teary-eyed and hugged the ICC T20 World Cup. The much-needed win came in the ICC event, which secured a seven-run win over South Africa on June 29 and marked India’s first large-scale title win after 11 years.
Relatively, more important to Dravid was this success because it was the crowning achievement that marked his last hurrah as the head coach of the Indian cricket team.
Rahul Dravid, who was a head coach but is fondly remembered as one of India’s batting legends, never got his hands on a pristine ICC World Cup trophy as a player or captain. It therefore got to the point where the World Cup remained the only major trophy that he had not won. His time as head coach ended on this high note and thus gave a satisfying, or even fitting, end to his career. This was more than a victory; this was the perfect end to years of effort, determination, and plain perseverance.
The Transition of Leadership
After the unforgettable goodbye of Dravid, the team management of India appointed the former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir in July as the new Head Coach of the Indian national cricket team. Back in his aggressive form, Gambhir was ready for his new role as the head coach of the Indian team to commence with the upcoming Sri Lanka tour, comprising the fifty-over format, starting on July 27. This change signified a new age in Indian cricket, and this is because Gambhir was moving over from a coach who had revolutionized the attitude and approach of the Indian team in the World Cup.
Rahul Dravid’s Legacy and Impact
Ashwin spared a few words to eulogize the hard work, toil, and criticism Rahul Dravid went through in his cricketing career. It had its ups and downs; one such low phase was perhaps the 2007 50-over World Cup, where they were bundled out in the first round when Rahul Dravid was the captain. But how he made these transitions and floated like a butterfly with the guts to go out and fight like a bee showed Team Indian what leading is all about. Ashwin provided examples of how the team had made a drastic change after Rahul Dravid took charge of the team, stating that Dravid made the teamwork and imbibed winning fashion.
Exemplifying Ashwin’s account was a moving episode during the victory celebrations. On his YouTube channel, the off-spinner was seen talking about it and said:
This is my moment, to the core, Virat Kohli handing over the cup to Rahul Dravid and him hugging the cup and crying’. This is what I want to say about a sacred person. I saw Rahul Dravid scream and cry. I saw him enjoy it. I felt that a lot. In the 2007 50-over World Cup, India was knocked out. Rahul Dravid was the one who was captaining the Indian side. Then he did not captain the one-day sides. Again, he has been with the Indian team. If something does not go well, If the Indian team goes out or loses a match, Immediately, they immediately ask what Rahul Dravid is doing.
He is no longer serving the national team neither as captain nor as Head Coach of the team, but he will be remembered as one of the best personalities who served the team and its nation.
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