‘You’ll never remember your career, but…’: Dravid’s inspiring dressing room speech after T20 World Cup glory

New Delhi – After India beat South Africa to win the 2024 T20 World Cup in Barbados, ending an 11-year wait for an ICC trophy, outgoing head coach Rahul Dravid delivered an inspiring yet emotional speech in the dressing room.

Dravid praised his players and their fighting spirit, which was on display in the final against South Africa, and said players can forget their career statistics but “moments like this will stay with them forever”.

“I am really at a loss for words but all I wanted to say is thank you all for making me a part of what is an incredible memory. You will all remember these moments. It is not about runs and wickets; you will never remember your career but you will remember moments like this. I couldn’t be more proud of you, for coming back the way you did, the way you fought, the way we worked as a team, the resilience…” Dravid said in a video released by BCCI on X.

Dravid, who was in the spotlight for losing two consecutive ICC finals, the World Test Championship and the ODI World Cup to Australia last year, delivered his latest mission to end India’s over decade-long title drought.

The legendary cricketer took over from Ravi Shastri in November 2021. His initial tenure was for two years but he was given a six-month extension as the BCCI wanted him to continue till the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

The 51-year-old also thanked Rohit Sharma for allowing him to stay with the team after his contract expired after the 2023 ODI World Cup.

“Ro (Rohit Sharma), thank you for making that call for me in November and asking me to continue. It has been a privilege and a pleasure to work with each and every one of you. Ro, I also know that as captain and coach, we have had a lot of discussions, we have had to discuss… we have had to agree and sometimes disagree, but thank you very much. It is great to know each and every one of you as people,” Dravid said.

Under Dravid’s leadership, India reached the final of the World Test Championship and ODI World Cup last year but the elusive trophy remained out of their reach.

“There have been disappointments over the years, although we’ve never quite managed to get over the line. But what this group of boys have done, what you’ve all done, what all the support staff have done, the hard work we’ve put in, the sacrifices we’ve made… I think the whole country is really proud of each and every one of you and what you’ve achieved,” he added.

“Each one of you makes so many sacrifices to see your family here having fun… Think of all the sacrifices each one of you has made since you were kids so that you can be here in this dressing room. Your parents, your wives, your kids, your brother, your coaches, so many people have made so many sacrifices and worked so hard with you to enjoy this memory right now,” Dravid continued.

As a player, Dravid never won a World Cup trophy. During his captaincy, India were knocked out in the first round of the 2007 ODI World Cup. But after 17 years, he has made it big as a coach. “I am really proud to have been a part of this memory with you guys… Just to be a part of this, I couldn’t be more grateful. I am grateful for the respect, kindness and effort that each and every one of you has shown towards me and my coaching staff.”

“This is your moment, guys… Remember, it’s not about individuals, it’s about teams. We won as a team. We did everything we did last month as a team. It’s about all of us, not about one individual,” he concluded. (IANS)