From player to coach: Dravid's journey with Team India ends with T20 glory

New Delhi, July 2: After India beat South Africa to lift the T20 World Cup 2024 in Barbados, ending their 11-year wait for an ICC trophy, outgoing head coach Rahul Dravid delivered an inspiring yet emotional speech in the dressing room.

Dravid praised his players and their fighting spirit, which was on display during the final against South Africa, and said players may forget their career stats, but "moments like this will stay with them forever."

"I am really short of words, but all I wanted to say is thank you to everyone for making me a part of what is an incredible memory. All of you will remember these moments. It's not about the runs and wickets; you will never remember your career but you will remember moments like this. I could not be more proud of you guys, to comeback the way you did, the way you fought, the way we worked as a team, the resilience...," said Dravid in a video posted by BCCI on X.

Dravid, who was under the scanner for losing two consecutive ICC finals, the World Test Championship and the ODI World Cup against Australia last year, delivered in his last assignment to break the more than decade-long title drought for India.

The legendary cricketer took over from Ravi Shastri in November 2021. His initial term was for two years, but he was handed a six-month extension as BCCI wanted him to continue until the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup.

The 51-year-old further thanked Rohit Sharma for making him to stay with the team after his contract was set to expire after the 2023 ODI World Cup.

"Ro (Rohit Sharma) thank you for making that call for me in November and asking me to continue. It has been a privilege and pleasure to work with each and every one of you. Also to Ro, I know as a captain and coach there was a lot of time we had a chat, we had to discuss... we had to agree and to disagree at times, but thank you so very much. It's brilliant to know each one of you as a person," said Dravid.