Rahul Dravid's emotional farewell speech inside dressing room after T20 World Cup victory

**EDS: IMAGE VIA @BCCI POSTED ON JUNE 30, 2024** Bridgetown: India's Head Coach Rahul Dravid poses for photos during celebration after India defeated South Africa in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup final cricket match, at Kensington Oval, in Bridgetown, Barbados, Sunday, June 30, 2024. (PTI Photo)

Rahul Dravid concluded his tenure as India's head coach on a triumphant note with the team's T20 World Cup victory over South Africa at Barbados' Kensington Oval on Saturday. Taking over in November 2021, Dravid, who had not secured an ICC title during his playing career, finally lifted a major trophy.

His stint as ODI captain had ended with India's group-stage exit in the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies. The T20 World Cup victory marked Dravid's crowning achievement during his nearly three-year tenure as India's head coach, where the team also finished as runners-up in the 2023 World Test Championship and the 2023 ODI World Cup at home.

Addressing the India dressing-room shortly after the final, Dravid expressed his gratitude, saying, "I am really short of words but all I want to say is thank you to everyone for making me a part of what is an incredible memory."

The sacrifices, the commitment, the comeback

#TeamIndia Head Coach Rahul Dravid's emotional dressing room speech in Barbados#T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/vVUMfTZWbc

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Reflecting on the team's journey, Dravid emphasized, "It’s not about the runs, the wickets, you will not remember your career. But you will remember moments like these. I cannot be more proud of you guys. To come back the way you did, the way you fought. The way we worked as a team. The resilience."

Acknowledging the sacrifices made by the team and their families, Dravid 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 on what you have achieved."

Dravid also credited skipper Rohit Sharma for encouraging him to continue as coach after India's loss to Australia in the ODI World Cup final last November in Ahmedabad.

"Thank you very much, Ro (Rohit), for making that call in November and asking me to continue. It’s been such a privilege and a pleasure to work with each and every one of you, but also with Ro. Thank you for your time," Dravid remarked, reflecting on his partnership with Sharma.