Rahul Dravid reveals how India rose from ODI WC loss
Former Team India head coach, Rahul Dravid, has disclosed that the team's preparation for the ICC ODI and T20 World Cups was identical. Speaking at the recently-held CEAT Cricket Rating Awards, he emphasized that despite losing the ODI World Cup final against Australia last year, India remained confident about their strategies and personnel. Minor adjustments were made ahead of the T20 World Cup, where India reigned supreme.
Dravid praises India's ODI World Cup campaign
Dravid lauded India's performance in the 50-over World Cup, stating that they had an exceptional run but were unfortunate to lose the final against Australia. He said, "Honestly, I didn't want to do anything different. I think we ran a fantastic campaign in the one-day World Cup." Dravid further added that there was nothing more they could have done in terms of preparation and execution for 10 consecutive games.
Dravid on maintaining team atmosphere and energy
Dravid highlighted the importance of maintaining the same team atmosphere and energy that was present in the 2023 World Cup. He said, "The common consensus (among the team) was we need to do exactly what we did. We need to create the same energy, create the same vibe, the same team atmosphere that we had." This approach was instrumental in India's subsequent triumph at the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Dravid's tenure as head coach ends with T20 triumph
Dravid's tenure as head coach ended on a high note with India's historic victory at the T20 World Cup. The former Indian batter, who missed out on the coveted World Cup trophy in his playing career, finally had the privilege of tasting success in the Caribbean. Following the post-match presentation, Dravid, known for his calm demeanor, was seen lifting the trophy in ecstacy.
Lifetime Achievement Award
At the CEAT Cricket Rating Awards, Dravid received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution as a player and coach to cricket. In a career that spanned 16 years, Dravid smashed over 24,000 international runs with 48 centuries.
