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NEW DELHI: Rahul Dravid, the former head coach and captain of the Indian cricket team, recently shared his thoughts on the most challenging moment during his tenure as the team’s coach. He disclosed that the series defeat against South Africa in the 2021-22 season was the lowest point of his coaching career with the Men in Blue.
In the 2021-22 season, Virat Kohli-led India had a golden opportunity to secure their maiden series victory against South Africa on their home soil.The visitors began the series with a resounding 113-run victory in the opening Test at Centurion, raising expectations of a historic triumph.
However, the Proteas staged a remarkable comeback in the following two Tests, clinching both matches by seven wickets, despite India holding the upper hand at various stages. The South African team’s resilience and determination shone through as they secured a memorable series win.
Speaking to Star Sports, Dravid said, as quoted by ANI, “If you ask me what is the lowest point, I would say that the South Africa Test series early on in my career. We won the first Test match in South Africa in Centurion, and then we were playing in the second and third Test match. We have never won a series in South Africa, as you know. It was a really big opportunity for us to win that series. Some of our senior players were not there.”
Dravid shared that several senior players, including Rohit Sharma, missed the series. Despite this, India managed to compete closely with the Proteas in both matches. However, South Africa ultimately limited India to low scores when it mattered most and comfortably chased down their targets.
“Rohit Sharma was injured, and we didn’t have some senior players in that series. But we were very close, and in both the Test matches–the second and the third test matches–in the third innings, we had a big opportunity. We could have set a decent score and won the game, but South Africa played well. They chased back in the fourth innings. So I would say that that was probably my lowest point in my coaching career–not being able to win that series in spite of being ahead,” he added.
Dravid had an impressive tenure as the coach of Team India, capping it off with an ICC T20 World Cup victory after a thrilling win over South Africa in June this year in Barbados.
Prior to this, India finished as runners-up in the 50-over World Cup on home soil last year, after an impressive 10-match winning streak that ended with a loss to Australia. The team also secured the runner-up spot in the ICC World Test Championship, again to Australia, and claimed the 50-over Asia Cup title last year.
In the 2021-22 season, Virat Kohli-led India had a golden opportunity to secure their maiden series victory against South Africa on their home soil.The visitors began the series with a resounding 113-run victory in the opening Test at Centurion, raising expectations of a historic triumph.
However, the Proteas staged a remarkable comeback in the following two Tests, clinching both matches by seven wickets, despite India holding the upper hand at various stages. The South African team’s resilience and determination shone through as they secured a memorable series win.
Speaking to Star Sports, Dravid said, as quoted by ANI, “If you ask me what is the lowest point, I would say that the South Africa Test series early on in my career. We won the first Test match in South Africa in Centurion, and then we were playing in the second and third Test match. We have never won a series in South Africa, as you know. It was a really big opportunity for us to win that series. Some of our senior players were not there.”
Dravid shared that several senior players, including Rohit Sharma, missed the series. Despite this, India managed to compete closely with the Proteas in both matches. However, South Africa ultimately limited India to low scores when it mattered most and comfortably chased down their targets.
“Rohit Sharma was injured, and we didn’t have some senior players in that series. But we were very close, and in both the Test matches–the second and the third test matches–in the third innings, we had a big opportunity. We could have set a decent score and won the game, but South Africa played well. They chased back in the fourth innings. So I would say that that was probably my lowest point in my coaching career–not being able to win that series in spite of being ahead,” he added.
Dravid had an impressive tenure as the coach of Team India, capping it off with an ICC T20 World Cup victory after a thrilling win over South Africa in June this year in Barbados.
Prior to this, India finished as runners-up in the 50-over World Cup on home soil last year, after an impressive 10-match winning streak that ended with a loss to Australia. The team also secured the runner-up spot in the ICC World Test Championship, again to Australia, and claimed the 50-over Asia Cup title last year.
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