Despite the high expectations, the galactic Indian batting lineup stumbled on the grandest stage of the World Cup final, yet head coach Rahul Dravid retained his belief in the team. In a performance that fell short of par, India posted a modest total of 240 against Australia, leaving the stage set for Pat Cummins and his cohort to chase down the score in 43 overs, solidifying Australia’s claim to their sixth World Cup title.
The crucial juncture came after three Indian batsmen were dismissed at the score of 81 runs, prompting Virat Kohli (scoring 54 off 63 balls) and K L Rahul (66 off 107 balls) to switch gears into consolidation mode. Amid cautious play, the hosts managed only two boundaries during the overs that followed.
A query from a reporter highlighted concerns that have dogged the Indian squad: “Last year in the T20 World Cup, we made 170 runs in 20 overs, and England chased it easily. … what happens is that in big matches, we play a little scared. You feel that our approach is not right? What are the issues?”
In defense, Dravid responded with staunch denial of any timid approach, instead pointing to the need for adaptation as the game unfolds. “I won’t believe that we played with fear in this tournament,” he affirmed. He explained that the loss of early wickets necessitated a recalibration of strategy, a sentiment he held firm throughout the tournament’s varied challenges, notably against England.
Dravid further commented on the need for partnership building when faced with the loss of wickets: “You saw the batting of the team. There was a time when Marnus and Head were playing. They established it. But they didn’t get out, so they kept playing. If you keep losing wickets in the middle, then you have to rebuild. But it’s not like we started playing defensively.”
Adding to the narrative, India’s ICC trophy drought since 2013 continues to loom over the Rohit Sharma-Rahul Dravid era, which began post the 2021 T20 World Cup letdown. While Dravid’s contract concluded with the ODI World Cup, he remains non-committal about his future and the upcoming T20 World Cup scheduled in the USA and Caribbean.
The Indian team’s previously unstoppable momentum was quelled by a balanced Australian team, stirring both respect and disappointment in Dravid, who also lauded skipper Rohit Sharma for his exceptional leadership and energetic input into the tournament. The coach acknowledged the dejection felt by Sharma and the team, but embraced the resilience inherent in the sport, saying “the sun will come up tomorrow, and as sportsmen, we move on.”
While the ending was not as envisioned, Dravid’s stoic optimism highlights his belief in the team’s potential and the transient nature of disappointment in cricket. With the World Cup serving as both a measure of progress and a reality check, Team India, under the tutelage of ‘The Wall,’ would undoubtedly look to rebuild and emerge stronger.
In keeping with tradition, the team will regroup, recalibrate, and ready themselves for future challenges on cricket’s global stage, ever striving for that elusive ICC trophy. As Dravid acknowledged, sportsmen move on – and so will the indomitable spirit of Team India.
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