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Rahul Dravid contemplates future as India's head coach following World Cup heartbreak

Reflecting on the World Cup final, Dravid emphasised India's fearless cricket but admitted they fell short by 40 runs.

By Omar | Nov 20, 2023 | 3 Min Read

“To be frank, I haven’t had the chance to contemplate my future plans,” said Rahul Dravid, reflecting on the conclusion of his two-year tenure as the head coach of Team India after their defeat in the World Cup 2023 final against Australia. Emotionally drained from the heartbreaking loss, Dravid emphasized the need for time to ponder his continuation with the national team. Despite steering the team to two ICC tournament finals and one semi-final during his tenure, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has yet to discuss the extension of Dravid’s contract.

When asked about his future and the possibility of coaching in a single format, Dravid remained non-committal, stating, “I haven’t thought about it. I’ve just come off a game. I had no time to think about this and no time to reflect on this. Yeah, I will when I get the time to do that.” The former India captain stressed that his focus had solely been on the recent campaign and that thoughts about the future hadn’t crossed his mind.

Dravid, known as ‘Mr Dependable,’ expressed pride in working with the players over the past two years, considering it a privilege. However, he revealed he is not inclined to self-analyze his coaching tenure. When questioned about the possibility of guiding the team in the upcoming T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies, Dravid replied, “Honestly, I haven’t thought about it.”

Regarding the disappointment of the Indian team and the missed opportunity for some veteran players to win a World Cup, Dravid dismissed thoughts about the 2027 edition, stating, “There’s a lot of time for that. A lot of water will flow under the bridge before that. There’ll be a lot of time for that.”

Dravid praised Rohit Sharma’s leadership, describing him as an incredible leader who invested significant time and energy in the team. He acknowledged the tough emotions in the dressing room after the final and highlighted the commitment and sacrifices made by the players.

Reflecting on the World Cup final, Dravid emphasised India’s fearless cricket but admitted they fell short by 40 runs. He believed the pitch played well and suggested that, considering the conditions, a score of 280-290 would have been more appropriate. Despite the disappointment, Dravid acknowledged the team’s positive approach and expressed regret for not achieving the extra runs that could have applied more pressure on Australia.