Emotional Rahul Dravid seals legacy as India coach with T20 World Cup glory in West Indies.

Emotional Rahul Dravid seals legacy as India coach with T20 World Cup glory in West Indies.

In a fairytale ending, Indian cricket's silent guardian Rahul Dravid finally laid his hands on the coveted ICC trophy on his last day as head coach. Dravid celebrated wildly with the trophy, a moment of redemption in the West Indies.

Rahul Dravid had to wait and wait and wait. Dravid had to wait until he was 51. He had to wait until he had already lost a World Cup final as a player (2003) and as a coach (2023). He had to wait after it had seemed India would win on November 19, 2023, and he had to wait until he let his emotions take charge in Barbados in 2024. The pain of not winning the World Cup as a player must have subsided after his tenure as India's head coach got a glorious closure with the T20 World Cup triumph.

As soon as he got a feel of the trophy, respectfully brought to him by Player of the Match Virat Kohli, Rahul Dravid let out a roar so ferocious it seemed he was finally releasing the emotions he typically keeps hidden from public view. It was a rare moment for Dravid, who is known for his calm and composed demeanor, seldom giving quotes that ignite headlines but always remaining steadfastly committed to his role, much like Gary Kirsten.

In that exhilarating moment, Dravid set aside his usual stoic persona, fully embracing the triumph as India finally went all the way, fulfilling the dreams of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Rahul Dravid, who just like most of his playing career, stayed in the shadows, but had a telling impact on this bunch of boys. A key attribute of the Rohit-Rahul tenure has been backing their players, giving them a long rope and not chopping and changing.

Rahul Dravid's tenure as India's head coach was marked by scrutiny even before his official appointment. Seen as the 'Next One' during a short white-ball series against Sri Lanka in mid-2021, this stint served as his audition for the high-pressure role he assumed full-time in November 2021.

From the outset, Dravid faced the challenge of living up to the lofty legacy of his predecessor, Ravi Shastri, under whom India enjoyed significant success, including back-to-back away series wins in Australia. While Dravid never toured Australia as a coach, he managed to defeat them in various formats at home. However, a loss and a drawn Test series against a 'weaker' South African side lingered as a disappointment for Dravid, who always valued victories away from home as the gold standard.

Dravid had to navigate the unique challenges of Indian cricket culture, managing a dressing room full of superstars—a scenario he was familiar with from his playing days. Aware that any discord could be magnified, he relied on his ability to gauge people and situations, implementing his methods without dismantling the existing system. This approach, in collaboration with captain Rohit Sharma, created a balanced atmosphere that allowed players to excel.

Under Dravid's leadership, India's supremacy in T20I cricket became evident. Since their pivotal bilateral series against New Zealand in November 2021, India won 48 out of 69 matches, achieving a commanding win percentage and a win-loss ratio of 2.82. This success positioned India as the top-ranked team in the ICC T20I rankings, significantly ahead of Australia, which had a win-loss ratio of 1.75. However, the semi-final loss to England in the 2022 World Cup remained a blemish on India's stellar T20I record under Dravid.

India's journey in ODIs took a dramatic turn starting from early 2020 through early 2022, marked by a challenging phase that included a string of 11 losses in 18 matches and a humbling 3-0 series defeat in South Africa. However, the tide shifted dramatically with the onset of Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma's partnership in February 2022, as they steered India to a commanding 3-0 triumph over the West Indies, signaling a remarkable resurgence.

Under the dynamic leadership duo of Dravid and Sharma, India achieved significant milestones, notably triumphing over reigning World Cup champions England on their home ground in 2022 and asserting their dominance in home conditions. During this period, India clinched victory in 10 out of 13 bilateral ODI series, boasting an impressive win-loss ratio of 3.4, with 41 wins out of 56 ODIs.

India's path to the 2023 World Cup final at home appeared seamless as they emerged as the frontrunners, only to face a heartbreaking defeat on November 19 at the hands of Australia in Ahmedabad. Alongside their dominance in bilateral limited-overs series, Dravid's leadership guided India to the finals of both the World Test Championship and the 50-over World Cup in 2023. Following a disappointing exit from the 2021 T20 World Cup in the UAE, India, under Rohit Sharma's captaincy and Dravid's mentorship, adopted an aggressive batting strategy aimed at revitalizing their approach and consistently challenging teams like England and Australia on the global stage.

The T20 World Cup triumph in the Caribbean marked a significant turnaround for Rahul Dravid, viewed by many as redemption following India's disappointing first-round exit from the 2007 ODI World Cup in the same region, where he led the team. In 2007, under Dravid's captaincy, India suffered early elimination after defeats to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, prompting widespread criticism. Subsequently relinquishing the captain's role, Dravid continued playing white-ball cricket under MS Dhoni's leadership. Interestingly, Dravid, along with Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly, did not participate in the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007, which India won in South Africa. Despite his pivotal role as head coach, Dravid modestly dismisses any exaggerated praise for his contributions.

Redemption isn't on my mind. I'm not the type to dwell on such things," remarked Dravid. "I've seen many talented players who haven't had the chance to lift a trophy.

Expressing gratitude, Dravid continued, "Coaching was a fortunate opportunity for me, and I'm grateful to these boys who made winning possible and allowed me to celebrate.

Reflecting further, Dravid shared, "It's a satisfying feeling, but it's not about seeking redemption. It was a job I enjoyed, working alongside Rohit and this team. It's been a rewarding journey, and I've cherished every moment.

As Dravid's tenure as India's coach draws to a close, he fondly recalls the T20 World Cup victory as a career highlight.

Absolutely extraordinary—it's truly a privilege to belong to such an incredible dressing room. This experience will stay with me forever, and I'm deeply appreciative of the team and support staff who have made it all possible.