Former Rahul Dravid believes that India’s rich potential in cricket is finally translating into major success on the global stage. India have been on a winning streak, especially in white-ball cricket, and teams across genders and age groups are making the nation proud time and again.
Speaking after being honoured with the Col CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award at the Board of Control for Cricket in India annual awards ceremony, Dravid highlighted the remarkable growth of the sport in the country and the collective effort behind it.
According to him, Indian cricket has always possessed immense potential, and the past couple of years have been a testament to that ability.
“It just kind of feels right, right? Almost everything coming together at this point of time where Indian cricket has always had great potential and it’s (about) realising that potential on the field as well. Off the field, I think we’ve always had everything we needed and on the field, it’s been great to see that potential being realised.”
Winning the last two men’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup titles, along with the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, the men’s ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup and the ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup over the past two years, is no small feat. It is the result of years of hard work and resilience from players and staff both on and off the field.
“It’s been phenomenal. It’s just been amazing to see the way Indian cricket has grown over these three decades”, Dravid added, reflecting on the journey since his debut.
He further said, “Indian cricket has always had amazing talent. We’ve always had really good administrators. We’ve always had really good coaches (and) we’ve been able to back that up with incredible infrastructure. We’ve always had a fantastic domestic system, (a) very good junior cricket system.”
Dravid also emphasised the role of supporters in the team’s growth, stating that India has some of the most incredible fans in the world. “The kind of supporters and fans that we have, deserved all of this to come together, to have success on the field. It’s amazing to see how that all of that is coming together now.” he mentioned.
Dravid, who guided India to the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title as head coach, praised the current team for meeting expectations and continuing the momentum built by previous generations after starting the campaign as favourites.
He also expressed his joy over the resurgence of Sanju Samson, who was adjudged Player of the Tournament for his performances in the latter half of the competition.
“It was really nice to see Sanju (to) be able to sort of get it all together in those final three games – very important games for India,” the former skipper said.
On winning the lifetime achievement award, he said, ” very grateful for receiving the award. Very grateful for the many opportunities that I’ve received in my life and the opportunities that I’ve got.”
“(I was) lucky to have played with some of the greatest cricketers and been lucky to have travelled the world playing for the country. (I’ve) been lucky to be involved in the game after I retired as well and very humbled by the opportunities that the game is given,” Dravid remarked.
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