The image of Rahul Dravid, India’s cricketing stalwart, finally holding the World Cup trophy is a moment that remains etched in the memories of cricket fans across the nation. The scene was made even more poignant as Virat Kohli, one of India’s most celebrated captains, handed over the coveted trophy to Dravid, marking a perfect farewell for the legendary coach.
For years, Rahul Dravid had been the epitome of resilience and sportsmanship, often coming close to ultimate glory but never quite clinching it. The heartbreak of India’s loss in the 2023 ODI World Cup still lingered, making this triumph all the more significant. In a twist of fate, it was Dravid’s last assignment as India’s coach where he finally achieved the one accolade that had eluded him throughout his illustrious career.
The moment was deeply moving, not just for Dravid but for the entire cricketing fraternity. Known for his calm and composed demeanor, Dravid surprised everyone when he let out a primal yell of victory, an uncharacteristic display of raw emotion. It was a testament to the weight of the achievement and the relief of finally securing the highest honor in international cricket.
Reflecting on that iconic moment, Dravid himself admitted that he was overwhelmed by his emotions. In a light-hearted manner, he mentioned how he was glad his children didn’t tease him for that rare outburst of emotion, underscoring the personal significance of the moment.
During an event, Rahul Dravid said, “We strived to achieve something together. When you come at the end of it, you have moments like that. It’s great to celebrate. I try to avoid showing that to my children, thinking I’ve gone mad or something. But yeah, I was always telling the boys we got to maintain our balance, and remain cool, not go up and down with results. Thank god it was my last game, otherwise after that, they would have said ‘you’re saying one thing but doing something else’,”
This victory was not just a triumph for Dravid but also a moment of collective pride for the entire nation and the Indian cricket team. Former skipper Rohit Sharma, when reminded of the T20 World Cup Final, echoed the sentiment, saying that such feelings are rare and cannot be experienced every day.
