Rahul Dravid, who served as the head coach of the Indian cricket team from November 2021 to June 2024, recently reflected on his tenure, offering high praise for the leadership qualities of Indian captain Rohit Sharma. In a candid interview with Star Sports, Dravid described his experience working with Sharma as a “privilege” and emphasized the significant impact the Indian skipper had on the team during his time as coach.
Dravid began his stint as India’s head coach with the formidable task of guiding a team brimming with talent and expectations. His tenure culminated in a historic victory at the T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies, where India ended an 11-year wait for an ICC trophy. The summit clash in Barbados on June 29 saw India triumph over South Africa by a narrow margin of seven runs, marking a memorable chapter in Indian cricket history.
Reflecting on this success, Dravid was quick to acknowledge the role of Rohit Sharma, who took over as the full-time Indian captain in November 2021.
“It was a privilege to work with Rohit in these two and a half years. He was a fantastic leader. People really gravitate towards him, and I think that makes a lot of difference,” Dravid remarked. The coach highlighted how Sharma’s leadership was instrumental in creating a positive and cohesive team environment.
Dravid’s appreciation for Sharma extended beyond his tactical acumen and on-field decisions. He praised Sharma’s ability to connect with his teammates and foster a sense of unity within the squad.
“The teams are really led by a group of senior players, led by the captain, so I think… It was a privilege to work with Rohit. He was a fantastic leader. People really gravitate towards him, and that makes a lot of difference,” Dravid said, reiterating his admiration for Sharma’s leadership qualities.
Dravid also acknowledged the contributions of other senior players in the team, including Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and R. Ashwin. He emphasized that the success of the team was a collective effort, driven by the dedication and professionalism of these players.
“There are a lot of other senior players as well. Whether it was Virat, Bumrah, or Ashwin in Test cricket that we played, so many of them,” Dravid noted, underscoring the importance of these players in India’s recent achievements.
One of the key aspects that Dravid highlighted was the humility and work ethic of the senior players, traits that he believes are crucial to their success.
“So many people sometimes think that they have big egos and are, you know, very difficult to manage, but actually, I think it’s just the opposite. You know a lot of these superstars are actually very humble about their preparation; they’re humble about their work ethic, and that is why they are superstars,” Dravid explained.
Throughout the interview, Dravid repeatedly emphasized that the success of the team was not solely due to his coaching but was a result of the strong leadership provided by Sharma and the senior players. He expressed his satisfaction with the team environment they were able to create together, crediting the captain and senior players for driving the team forward.
“It was a privilege and a pleasure to work with some of these guys, and I’m happy we were able to create a good environment, but a lot of the credit must go to the captain and the senior people who, to be honest, actually drive a team,” Dravid concluded.
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