New Delhi, India

Rahul Dravid ended his stint as the senior Indian men's team coach following Rohit Sharma & Co.'s T20 World Cup 2024 win. On June 29, India beat South Africa in the T20 WC final, at the Kensington Oval, Barbados, to win their second T20 WC title, after 17 years, and also end their 11-year-long ICC title drought. Following this, Dravid's stint as the head coach also ended and the former Indian captain gave an emotional speech to the Indian players in the dressing room. In his speech, the 51-year-old thanked everyone for making him part of the T20 WC journey and revealed how captain Rohit convinced him to continue as coach post the ODI WC heartbreak last year.

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In a video shared by the BCCI on social media platforms, Dravid said, “I am really short of words but all I want to say is thank you everyone for making me a part of what is an incredible memory. I think all you will remember these moments. We always say it's not about the runs, it's not about the wickets, you'll never remember your career. But you will remember is moments like these. I cannot be more prouder of you guys. To come back the way you did, the way you fought. The way we worked as a team. The resilience."

Dravid, known as The Wall added, "There have been a few disappointments over the years where we have come close but we have not been able to cross the line. But what this bunch of boys has done, everyone in the support staff has done. The whole country is proud of each and every one of you for what you have achieved. There are so many sacrifices each of you have made. To see your families here today and so many of your families back home, think of all the sacrifices every one of them has made since the time you were kids. For you to be here in the dressing room today, your parents, wives, children, brothers, your coaches. So many people have made so many sacrifices for you to enjoy this memory, this moment."

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'Thank you for making that call to me in November and asking me to continue'

Dravid also revealed he was set to depart after his stint ended last year, post India's ODI WC final loss to Australia in Ahmedabad. His contract was from late 2021 till November 2023, however, Rohit and BCCI Secretary Jay Shah convinced him to stay until the just-ended T20 WC, in the West Indies and the USA. Thus, he revealed, "I just like to say, Ro (Rohit), thank you very much for making that call to me in November and asking me to continue. I think it's been such a privilege and a pleasure to work with each and every one of you and every one of you, but also to know Ro. Thanks for the time."

Also read: 'It was dedication to Indian cricket': Virat Kohli on viral photo with Rohit Sharma and T20 World Cup trophy

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He added, "I know as a captain and a coach, there's a lot of times we have to chat. We have to discuss. We have to agree. We have to disagree at times, but thank you so very much. It's been brilliant to get to know each and every one of you as a person."

Dravid didn't win a World Cup during his glorious playing days at the international level, from 1996-2012 (he was part of the India squad for the 2002 Champions Trophy where Sourav Ganguly & Co. were declared joint-winners with hosts Sri Lanka). However, his dream got fulfilled as a coach.