Stories of teams that go on to become championship-caliber are usually always gripping, and touching. One such story was briefly mentioned by the outgoing Indian men’s cricket team head coach Rahul Dravid during his farewell speech in the Indian dressing room after Rohit Sharma & Co.’s win of the T20 World Cup in Barbados on June 29.
Although he wanted to quit after they lost the ODI world cup final in November last year, Dravid changed his mind when Rohit called him, and so stayed on till T20 World Cup.
Though not as a player, ‘The Wall’ acknowledged that this decision enabled him to realize his dream of winning a world cup through thanking his captain, Rohit Sharma.
In the end India won by seven runs over South Africa at Barbados Kensington Oval Cricket Ground. For example, when SA were strolling along well with India’s 176 for 7 seeming far off 169 for 8 soon came short.
Dravid lauded that lion-hearted effort of his boys
Here is part of what he said as he bid farewell to them:
“I really do not have much else to say except a huge thank you so much to every single one here who has made me be part of this incredible memory. I suppose everyone will remember these moments. It’s always about remembering those special moments like we say it’s never about runs or wickets but we don’t remember our careers but we remember these sort of things. So let us enjoy it fully because I cannot be more prouder of you guys.
The comeback the way you did, the way you fought, the way we worked as a team, the reslience. There’ve been disappointments over the years. We have come close but we have never been able to cross the line yet somehow this bunch has found a way; all you guys and everyone in support staff and people working behind hard work sacrifices everything we have done with this team, the entire country is really proud of you.
Well guys I think there are so many sacrifices that each and everyone of you make. Your family is here today, enjoying it. So many of your family is back home. Just think about all the sacrifices each and every one of them has made since the time you were kids to be here in this dressing room today — your parents, your wife, your children, your brothers, your coaches, so many people have made so many sacrifices and worked so hard with you, for you to enjoy this memory and this moment.
Very honored to have shared these experiences and memories with my guys. All I can say is thank you so much. I am speechless. I don’t often find myself like this but on a day as such as this for me just to be part of this; could not be more grateful and more thankful for the respect for what everyone has shown me and my coaching staffs my support staffs. Thank you very much indeed.”
I have to mention, Rohit (Ro), thank you for phoning me on November and said that I should go ahead. It is a privilege and an honor to work with each of you but also Ro, I appreciate your time too. As the captain and coach there is a lot of time when we chat, discuss, agree and disagree at times. Despite this, thank you so much. You are all amazing people.
Remember guys, this is your moment. This is not about one person; it’s about the team. We won this as a team; over the past month we did everything we could do as a team. It’s us.
Let’s party; let us enjoy it well
Behind every great team there is also an efficient organization, and therefore Dravid would just like to acknowledge the effort from the BCCI and the people working behind it for what they have done for us. Each single one of us goes through some system, each single one of us goes through such organization which helps in developing our careers as well as playing anywhere around the world. So thanks so much.”
