Rahul Dravid gives emotional farewell speech after T20 World Cup triumph: 'Remember your parents, wives, brothers'

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Rahul Dravid in his emotional farewell speech as the head coach of the senior India men's cricket team, thanked Rohit Sharma and company for making him part of an "incredible memory".

Rahul Dravid applauded the team for making a stellar comeback when South Africa needed just 30 runs off 30 balls in the T20 World Cup 2024 final in Barbados on Saturday. In a video posted by the BCCI on Tuesday (July 2), the 51-year-old also appealed to the Team India players to remember the sacrifices made by their family members for the sake of their careers.

"Really short of words but just want to say thank you to everyone for making me a part of what is an incredible memory. I think all of you will remember this moment. It's not about the runs, it's not about the wickets, you will never remember your careers but you will remember moments like this.

"Let's really enjoy it, I could not be more prouder of you guys. To comeback the way you did, the way you fought, the way we worked as a team, the resilience. There have been some disappointments when we have come close and never been able to cross the line," Rahul Dravid said while opening his speech.

"What this bunch of boys have done, what everyone in the support staff has done, the hard work that we put in, the sacrifices that we made. You know I think the whole country is really proud of what you have achieved. All of you should be proud. I think there are so many sacrifices each one of you have made. Your family is here enjoying today, so many families back home, just think about sacrifices each one of them have made since the time you were kids for you to be in the dressing room today.

"Your parents, your wives, your children, your brothers, your coaches - so many people have made so many sacrifices and worked hard with you for you to enjoy this memory and moment. Really, really proud to have been part of this memory. All I can say is thank you so much guys.

"I am not usually short of words but like on a day like today, for me to be just part of this, I could not be more grateful, I could not be more thankful for the respect and kindness, for the effort each and everyone of you have shown to me, my coaching staff and support staff. Thank you so much."

Dravid also thanked Rohit Sharma for calling him after India's defeat in the final ODI World Cup 2023 and convincing him to continue as the head coach of the team.

"Just want to say Ro thank you very much for making that call to me in November and asking me to continue. I think it has been such a privilege and a pleasure to work with each and every one of you but also to RO, thanks for time. I know as a captain and a coach there are a lot of times we have to chat, we have to agree, we have to disagree at times but thank you so very much," he said.

'T20 World Cup win not an individual achievement'

Towards the end of his speech Rahul Dravid also asserted that India's T20 World Cup 2024 win wasn't an individual achievement, adding that the moment belonged to each of the members in the team.

"It has been brilliant to know each one of you as a person. It's your moment, remember that it's not about any individual, it's about the team. We won it as a team, we did everything in the last month as a team. It's about all of us. Thank you, very well done, let's party, let's really enjoy this. OK?

BCCI secretary Jay Shah Dravid was also present in the Indian dressing room as Rahul Dravid made the emotional farewell speech. Dravid also took the opportunity to thank the BCCI for providing immense support to Team India in their journey.