'Make Compromises': Rahul Dravid Disagrees With Experts Criticizing The USA Leg Of T20 World Cup

The recently concluded ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 will always a memorable one for the Indian fans, players and especially Rahul Dravid, the former coach of Team India. The 'men in blue' under the leadership of Rohit Sharma and Dravid won India's second T20 World Cup across nine editions. The T20 World Cup was jointly hosted by the USA and the West Indies.

Rahul Dravid Defends The US Leg Of T20 World Cup.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) scheduled the T20 World Cup in the States in order to promote it. Most of the group stage games were played in America and many players complained about the lack of proper facilities. Reportedly the Indian team too was not very happy about the training facilities but they somehow cruised through the initial games.

ALSO READ | Dravid’s Last Guidance for Gambhir Ahead of His Coaching Debut vs SL

Ex-India head coach Rahul Dravid who was attending the Cricket at the Olympics: Dawn of a New Era event in Paris has now defended the US leg and has said that it is important to promote the sport and make it a global game.

'Yes, in terms of facilities, it's challenging. But if you want to grow the sport and make it a global game, then you have to be at events like this and make compromises, even if it means playing at odd hours in conditions that might not necessarily be perfect. I don't think starting at 10:30am was a problem for me, honestly. We are in the entertainment business, which caters to people who want to watch the sport. I had absolutely no problem with it. As a coach, the conditions were quite even because dew becomes a factor in a lot of day-night games. The toss can become a big factor, as we saw in Australia. But for 10:30, it was not a problem; it was even-steven for both teams. From a coaching perspective, I didn't mind the 10:30 game', said Dravid.

ALSO READ | Dravid Unveils Team India’s Enthusiasm for 2028 LA Games

The Gautam Gambhir Era

Former India player Gautam Gambhir has now taken over as the India Head Coach from Rahul Dravid. With India winning their second T20 World Cup, Dravid's tenure ended on a high as India won their second T20 World Cup on June 29, 2024. Gambhir's coaching stint lasts for the next three years in which India will play 5 ICC events.