Rahul Dravid bhai wanted to step down after World Cup 2023: Rohit Sharma

Former Indian T20I captain Rohit Sharma has disclosed that the former Team India coach Rahul Dravid wanted to step down from his role after Team India failed to win the ODI World Cup 2023 against Australia in the grand finale in November 2023 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Advertisment

However, a few months later, Rahul Dravid and Co. went on to lift the T20 World Cup 2024 silverware in the West Indies and the United States. Rohit revealed that the team requested him to continue as head coach as they wanted to give it one more shot after losing the ODI mega event.

"Rahul bhai wanted to step down after the 2023 World Cup. But we said, 'There's another World Cup in six months. We've come this far. Let's give it one more shot.' He agreed-and I'm so glad he did. I'm sure even now he feels that he made the right decision,” Rohit told JioHotstar.

"For me personally, it was also emotional. My identity as a cricketer began with this format-in the 2007 T20 World Cup. To come full circle and lift the trophy again in 2024-it was just fantastic," he added.

Advertisment

Furthermore, Rohit asserted that winning the T20 World Cup in Barbados was the proudest moment of his cricketing career, having won his initial ICC title as a player in 2007 under MS Dhoni. Moreover, he termed the moment as magical for everyone involved in the team.

"Barbados will forever be in my veins. This is the proudest moment of my cricketing career. To lift that trophy, to be crowned ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 Champions-it was surreal. I played in the inaugural 2007 T20 World Cup and we won under MS Dhoni's captaincy. And now, to win it again with Rahul Dravid as head coach-it meant everything to this group,” he stated.

“We've seen heartbreak. We've come so close. That's why this one was so special. We worked and planned relentlessly every day. And when we finally won, all the emotions came pouring out. The younger players, especially those playing their first World Cup, realised how hard it is to win one. Nothing can be taken for granted. It was magical,” he concluded.

Advertisment

Stay updated with the latest cricket news, match insights, and exclusive updates at Sky247 India and download the Sky247 app to start betting today!