In 2003, Rahul Dravid and his teammates walked into the New Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg to take on mighty Australia in the Cricket World Cup final.
Expectations were high as India had reached the final after nearly two decades. But the match ended in tears for Indians as the Australians completely outplayed them.
In 2007, Dravid got another crack at the coveted trophy – this time, he was leading the team.
Once again, the ODI tournament ended in misery for Indians after they failed to qualify for the knock-outs.
Almost 20 years later, the stylish batter is back in business as the head coach of the Indian team which will take on Australia in the finals of the World Cup on Sunday in Ahmedabad.
Whether he gets to hold the prestigious trophy or not, Dravid’s place as one of the coaching greats is almost cemented.
But how did he transform himself from a legendary batter to a coach who stays in the background, making his presence felt through his team’s dominant performances?
The answer lies in his illustrious career.
Dravid was known to toil hard throughout his glorious days as a player. He rarely gave away his wicket easily, earning him nicknames like “The Wall” and “Mr Dependable”.
His class as a batter was on full display when he stitched an unforgettable 376-run partnership with VVS Laxman in 2001 to overturn an almost certain defeat in a Test match against Australia.
His 12-hour innings in 2004 against Pakistan in a Test match is still regarded as a great example of sporting stubbornness.
During India’s disastrous tour of England in 2011, Dravid stood tall among his peers. He scored 602 runs despite the hosts handing India a 4-0 humiliation.
His signature attitude of not giving up until it’s really over is very visible in his coaching style as well.
But look closer and you will see that this stint hasn’t come easy for him. Much like his days as a player, Dravid has worked hard as a coach – often ignoring criticism and sticking to his famed process.
His success hasn’t come in a vacuum. He started at the very base that supplies India’s senior team talents who are ready to perform at the international level.
He became the head coach of India’s under-19 and the A (junior national side) teams in 2016 – a job far removed from the glitz and glamour of the national side.
But he thrived in it, taking his team to the finals of the under-19 World Cup in 2016. After nurturing talent at the junior level for more than three years, he was appointed as the director of the National Cricket Academy (NCA).
(BBC)
