Rahul Dravid offered insights into the emotional aftermath within the Indian dressing room. The head coach acknowledged the prevailing disappointment among both players and support staff, describing the scene as challenging to witness.
Expressing empathy for the team, Dravid emphasized the hard work, sacrifices, and personal connections he shares with the players. Despite the visible glumness, he recognized the unpredictable nature of sports, crediting Australia as the better team on the day. Dravid remained optimistic, stating that, in time, reflection on the overall campaign would reveal its positive aspects.
Dravid lauded the exceptional leadership of skipper Rohit Sharma, highlighting the captain’s commitment to fostering a positive and attacking brand of cricket. Praising Rohit’s contributions on and off the field, Dravid commended his dedication to team discussions, strategy planning, and personal time investment in the campaign.
Regarding his own coaching tenure, Dravid remained non-committal about the future, stating that he hadn’t yet reflected on the continuation of his role. Responding to speculation about VVS Laxman potentially taking over, Dravid left the question open-ended, focusing on the recently concluded World Cup.
Addressing concerns about India stumbling in ICC events’ final stages, Dravid refuted claims of playing with fear, citing strategic adjustments based on match dynamics. When questioned about India’s decade-long absence from ICC trophy
victories, he acknowledged the absence of a single reason, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of cricket.
Reflecting on India’s recent performances under his coaching, Dravid maintained that, despite reaching significant stages in tournaments, execution faltered in the crucial moments. Dismissing nerves or intimidation as factors, he attributed India’s World Cup final loss to Australia’s superior execution on the day.
