'Great gesture': VVS Laxman reacts to Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli giving T20 WC trophy to Rahul Dravid

VVS Laxman, the National Cricket Academy (NCA)head, is currently acting as the India head coach for the second-stringed side's ongoing Zimbabwe T20Is, in the African nation. Ahead of the fourth and penultimate tie, in Harare on Saturday (Jul13), Laxman recalled Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's wonderful gesture where they gave the 2024 T20 World Cup trophy to outgoing head coach Rahul Dravid after India's famous triumph last month.

After India beat South Africa in the final of the recently-held 20-nation T20 WC, in West Indies and the USA, captain Rohit and Kohligave outgoing coachDravid the space he deserved during the celebrations. While Rohit and Kohli, along with Ravindra Jadeja, announced their T20I retirements, Dravid ended his coaching tenure with the senior team. With the end of his term, he also fulfilled his dreams of lifting a World Cup; something he failed to achieve during his playing days. Hence, Laxman lauded Rohit and Kohli's gesture towards Dravid.

'I thought it was a great gesture by Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli'

"Someone like Rahul, with whom I have played so much cricket, I have known him for so many years, for him to show so much emotions, first when the last ball was bowled and the conversations he was having with various team members. When he lifted the World Cup, I thought it was a great gesture by Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to hand over the trophy. And the way he celebrated lifting the trophy showed how much it meant to each one of them," VVS Laxman said in a video for the BCCI from Harare.

How much the #T20WorldCup triumph 🏆 means to India?

VVS Laxman reflects on that memorable day in Barbados ☺️ ☺️ - By @ameyatilak #TeamIndia | #Champions | #ZIMvIND | @VVSLaxman281 pic.twitter.com/ETZAxsgVj1

The former cricketer added, "Everyone showed their emotions. It showed how much it meant to each and every player of that squad. It's not only the playing XI. Even the support staff and the coaching staff, the emotions were high. You saw Hardik Pandya break down and show his emotions after bowling the last over. We saw Rohit Sharma on the ground."

After 17 years, India won their second T20 WC title with a 7-run win in the 2024 edition's finale, at the Kensington Oval, Barbados. With this, India also ended their 11-year-long ICC title drought.

For Dravid, he ended his coaching tenure on a high whereas Rohit, Kohli and Jadeja have moved on from T20Is. They will continue to be a part of the Test and ODI teams.