It was a rare sight to see Rahul Dravid baring his emotions on a cricket field after India won the 2024 T20 World Cup. The joyous celebration was a culmination of Dravid finally laying hands on a world title after having come close thrice before – once as a player and twice as India head coach.
Dravid was part of India’s 2003 ODI World Cup squad that lost to Australia in the final. At the 2007 ODI World Cup, he was the captain when India made a shocking first round exit.
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After taking over as the head coach, under Dravid, India made it to the title clashes of World Test Championship (2023) and ODI World Cup (2023). However, on both the occasions, they finished runners-up.
The wait finally ended in June this year when India defeated South Africa in a thrilling finale at Barbados’ Kensington Oval.
Batting legend VVS Laxman was pleased as punch to see his former India teammate celebrating the victory while also lauding Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for handing over the trophy to their coach.
“Someone like Rahul with whom I have played so much cricket, knew him for so many years, but for him to show that emotions, first when the last ball was bowled and then the various conversations he was having with the team members and when he lifted the trophy,” Laxman told BCCI.
“I thought it was a great gesture by Rohit and Virat Kohli to hand over the trophy to him (Dravid) and the way he celebrated by lifting the trophy, it showed how much it meant to each one of them,” he added.
Laxman praised the resilience of the Indian team that bounced back after South Africa seemed to have taken complete control of the chase when they needed 30 off 30.
“The kind of finish we had after we were under pressure with South Africa batters needing 30 runs off 30 balls. And from there to show character, resilience and self-belief to pull off the match from the jaws of defeat, it shows the character of the entire team,” Laxman, who is currently coaching an India T20I side on the tour of Zimbabwe, said.
“The amount of hard work they put in, the celebrations (by the players and support staff) told the bigger story behind this victory. Obviously, it is a special feeling winning the World Cup. When you are playing against the best and win the trophy, it means a lot to all the players participating in the tournament,” he added.
Several India stars including Rohit, Kohli and allrounder Hardik Pandya broke down in tears following the title win.
“Everyone showed their emotions and it showed how much it meant to each and every player in the squad, as well as the support staff, the emotions were really high. You saw Hardik Pandya breaking down once he bowled the last delivery. You saw Rohit Sharma on the ground,” Laxman said.
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