New Delhi: Rahul Dravid said he is glad to go out on a winning note as coach after being unable to win the T20 World Cup as a player.
India defeated South Africa by seven runs to lift the T20 World Cup after 17 years, their second title since they won the inugural edition in 2007.
It was the last assignment of Dravid as coach of the Indian team as they ended their 11-year drought to win an ICC trophy and won their first World Cup title since 2011.
“I really have felt short of words over the last few hours. I just could not be more proud of this team, the way we had to fight difficult situations,” Dravid said after the triumph.
“Even today I think it was a great testimony… for the team to lose three wickets in the first six overs, to be in the kind of position we were in, but the boys just kept fighting, they kept believing.
“You know, as a player, I was not lucky enough to win a trophy, but I tried my best whenever I played and it happens, it’s part of sports,” the 51-year-old added.
As a player, Dravid failed to win any World Cup, being the captain when India exited the 2007 ODI World CUp in the West Indies from the group stage. But he said that neither he views the victory as redemption nor he sees it as lasting legacy of his coaching career.
‘Not a legacy person’
“Firstly, there is no redemption. I am not one of those guys who thinks about redemption and those kind of things. There are a lot of other players I know who have not been able to win a trophy, the former right hand batter said.
“I was lucky to be given the opportunity to coach, and I was lucky that this bunch of boys made it possible for me to be able to win a trophy and celebrate.
“Nice feeling, but it’s not like I am aiming for some redemption, it’s just a job that I was doing. I loved doing the job, I loved working with Rohit and this team. It’s been a great journey and I have really enjoyed it,” he added.
“I am not a legacy person, I am not looking for legacies, I just feel glad that we could give our best. I think I have been lucky to have been working with an exceptionally professional bunch, intelligent bunch of coaches and other support staff who have made it possible to create a fantastic environment.
“I am glad that a bit of luck has resulted in this trophy. I couldn’t be happier for this team, and I couldn’t be happier for so many of the Indian fans who are coming out to these games.”
After India’s win, the players airlifted Dravid and gave him a fitting send-off.
Rahul Dravid signs off as coach of the Indian cricket team with a T20 World Cup victory Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
