'There is no redemption': Rahul Dravid's honest take following India's T20 World Cup 2024 win

Rahul Dravid didn't hold his emotions from rolling out as his men scripted history in Kensington Oval, Barbos. In battle of nerves, Team India prevailed over South Africa and earned respect of being called World Champions for second time in history of T20 cricket. great Rahul Dravid was not his usual restrained self after India's T20 World Cup glory and couldn't thank his wards enough for helping him live what he "wasn't lucky as a player" to experience -- hey feeling of being a world champion.

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Team India ends 11-year-long drought

With he coach Dravid watching action from dugout, skipper Rohit Sharma marshalled his resources beautifully as India held ir nerve to eke out a seven-run victory over South Africa in a thrilling finale and win T20 World Cup to end an 11-year ICC title drought.

"I really have felt short of words over last few hours. I just could not be more proud of this team, way we h to fight difficult situations," Dravid said after triumph.

"Even today I think it was a great testimony... for team to lose three wickets in first six overs, to be in kind of position we were in, but boys just kept fighting, y kept believing.

"You know, as a player, I was not lucky enough to win a trophy, but I tried my best whenever I played and it happens, it's part of sports," 51-year-old ded.

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Life comes full circle for Rahul Dravid

triumph in Caribbean is also a sort of redemption for Dravid, under whose captaincy India endured a forgettable first-round exit in 2007 ODI World Cup in this part of world.

But Dravid said he doesn't believe in words or things like redemption, playing down his contribution as team's he coach.

"Firstly, re is no redemption. I am not one of those guys who thinks about redemption and those kind of things. re are a lot of or players I know who have not been able to win a trophy.

"I was lucky to be given opportunity to coach, and I was lucky that this bunch of boys me it possible for me to be able to win a trophy and celebrate.

"Nice feeling, but it's not like I am aiming for some redemption, it's just a job that I was doing. I loved doing job, I loved working with Rohit and this team. It's been a great journey and I have really enjoyed it." Dravid, whose tenure as India coach ends now, called title triumph memory of a lifetime.

"Just phenomenal, just lovely to be a part of a dressing room like this. It's a memory of a lifetime for me, so I am thankful and grateful to team and support staff who have me this possible." Dravid, one of finest batsmen and ambassors in game's history, said he is also not much into things like legacy.

"I am not a legacy person, I am not looking for legacies, I just feel gl that we could give our best. I think I have been lucky to have been working with an exceptionally professional bunch, intelligent bunch of coaches and or support staff who have me it possible to create a fantastic environment.

"I am gl that a bit of luck has resulted in this trophy. I couldn't be happier for this team, and I couldn't be happier for so many of Indian fans who are coming out to se games." His fantastic equation with Rohit went a long way in building kind of atmosphere needed for a team to succeed at top level. Both have tremendous respect for each or and Rohit dedicated victory to Dravid.

(With inputs from PTI)