Outgoing India head coach Rahul Dravid bid farewell with a heartfelt tribute to Rohit Sharma during his farewell speech at the Wankhede Stadium. Reflecting on his journey with Team India, Dravid highlighted a pivotal moment when Rohit Sharma called him after India's heartbreaking defeat to Australia in the previous year's final, urging him to continue leading the team forward.
"Rohit called and said, ‘Rahul, let’s have another crack.' I think that was the best phone call of my life," Dravid recalled with a smile, reminiscing about his conversation with the Indian captain. His tenure, originally set to conclude after the 2023 World Cup, was extended through the T20 World Cup, culminating in India's historic unbeaten campaign to clinch the title.
"This is a fantastic note to sign off on. I am going to miss all this love. What we have been seeing today and what I have heard since the win shows how India makes cricket brilliant," Dravid expressed gratefully. "These boys are like family. The amount of work they have put in is incredible, and they are constantly striving to improve. As a coach and support staff, we couldn’t have asked for more. We feel privileged to have had the opportunity to coach this team."
Before taking over as India's head coach in 2021, Dravid had previously coached the Indian U-19 team, guiding them to World Cup victory in 2018. His tenure with the senior team saw significant achievements, including ending India's 13-year wait for a World Cup title and securing Asia Cup glory. Under his guidance, India consistently reached finals in ICC events, reinforcing his legacy in Indian cricket coaching.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to announce Dravid's successor ahead of the upcoming Sri Lanka series.