Rahul Dravid FINALLY has his redemption: From 2007 World Cup debacle in WI to 2024 World Cup glory

For the unaware the failure to proceed to the Super Eight stage in the ODI World Cup of 2007 was one of the most difficult periods that Indian cricket fans endured. It was a star-studded team where Sachin Tendulkar was at the peak of his powers, a returning Sourav Ganguly had solidified the side, and Rahul Dravid as captain was beaming to take India to a World Cup victory in West Indies. If that was not enough, the side had the presence of a young MS Dhoni and an in-form Yuvraj Singh. From the outlook, the unit was destined to go deeper in the tournament. However, what eventually transpired was a first-round knockout following humiliating losses against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Back then the elimination brought an end to Greg Chappell's tumultuous run as the head coach of Team India, and proved to be a forgetful chapter in Rahul Dravid's captaincy tenure. 17 years later, life has come full circle as the then captain Rahul Dravid returned as the coach and conquered what he could not in 2007 at the same place.

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Life comes full circle for Rahul Dravid: Lost as captain, won as coach

Destiny could not be better written as in his final game as the head coach of Team India, Rahul Dravid has cleaned the painful stains of the past and cemented his glory as arguably the greatest ever coach of Team India. In the past, no coach has been able to take India to a back-to-back World Cup finals, but Rahul Dravid has made it happen. Team India's win in the T20 World Cup 2024 is a result of his sheer determination and hard work. Rahul Dravid deserved to clinch as least one World Cup if not two and had he not won it a coach then it would have been strikingly unfair on his part for what he has done for Indian cricket for more than two decades.

Him lifting the trophy and letting loose of his emotions might have come as an appeasement to the loss that India incurred 17 years ago.