[Watch] "It's a pleasure to know each and every one of you" - Rahul Dravid's farewell speech after T20 World Cup win
Departing Team India head coach Rahul Dravid thanked skipper Rohit Sharma for convincing him to continue in the role after the ODI World Cup final defeat last year. Rahul revealed Rohit's phone call persuaded him to continue being the coach of the Indian team for another seven months until the conclusion of the T20 World Cup 2024.
Dravid felt very lucky to be a part of the dressing room that finally ended the 11-year wait for India's next ICC trophy and feels Rohit had a massive role to play in it. The 2024 T20 World Cup was his final assignment as the Team India head coach.
He said in a video posted by BCCI:
"Ro, thank you so much for making that call in November and asking me to continue. I know as a captain and coach there's a lot of time we have to discuss, we have to agree, we have to disagree. But thank you so much. It has been a pleasure to know each and every one of you."
Here's the video:
Rahul Dravid also acknowledged the work done by the BCCI officials behind the scenes and thanked BCCI secretary Jay Shah, who was also present in the dressing room, for the work put in the system.
Rahul Dravid hailed Indian players for the comeback
Rahul Dravid was also seen praising the players for the way they stormed back into the game when it all looked lost at one point. South Africa needed just 27 runs off 28 balls with six wickets in hand. However, the Men in Blue never gave up and won by seven runs.
"I couldn't be prouder of you guys. To come back the way you did, the way you fought, the resilience, the way we worked as a team, what this bunch of boys has done, what all of yu have done, the hard work we have put in, the sacrifices we have made, I think the whole country will be proud of you," Dravid said in the same video.
Rahul Dravid also reminded the Indian players about the sacrifices their family members had made for them to realize the dream of winning a World Cup. He is delighted that he could also be a part of the memories that the players have made.