Speaking to reporters ahead of India’s World Cup opener against Ireland, Dravid shared that he thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of his coaching tenure.
Dravid’s positive sentiment reflects the fulfillment he found in his role, emphasizing the satisfaction derived from guiding and mentoring the team.
“Every tournament is important. Every game that I’ve coached for India has been very important for me. So for me this is no different just because it is going to be the last one that I’m in charge of,” he said.
The former India captain took charge of the team in November 2021, succeeding Ravi Shastri as the head coach following the T20 World Cup that year.
“I love doing the job. I’ve really enjoyed coaching India and I think it’s a truly special job to do. I enjoyed working with this team and it’s a great bunch of boys to work with but yeah but just considering you know unfortunately the just the kind of schedules and where I find myself in the stage in my life I don’t think I’ll be able to reapply.
“So yeah, obviously it’ll be my last one but having said that it’s no different for me to be very honest. From the first day I took the job, I always felt that every game was important and every game mattered and that will not change,” he asserted.
India will be aiming to clinch an elusive ICC trophy in the T20 World Cup and provide a perfect farewell for their coach.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had advertised for the position, and Dravid’s India teammate Gautam Gambhir is considered to be the frontrunner to replace him.
Speculations around Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) mentor Gambhir being the frontrunner for the role gained strength when the BCCI secretary met the former India opener after KKR won IPL 2024 to be crowned champions for the third time.
Gambhir, who was part of India’s T20 World Cup and ODI World Cup winning teams, was the KKR captain when the franchise won its first two IPL titles in 2012 and 2014. He joined KKR as mentor just before the start of this year’s IPL season.
Gambhir has also voiced his interest for the role of India’s head coach, saying that it will be an honour for him.
“I would love to coach the Indian team. There is no bigger honour than coaching your national team. You are representing 140 crore Indians and those across the globe as well,” the 42-year-old Gambhir had said at an event in Abu Dhabi.