Rahul Dravid: India's Test great who became a T20 World Cup-winning coach

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Rahul Dravid finally got to lay his hand on an ICC trophy after India defeated South Africa in the final of T20 World Cup 2024 at the Kensington Oval in Barbados.

India's one of the best if not the best Test batter is now a T20 World Cup-winning coach. Unlike his former teammates Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly, Dravid continued serving continuously on the field even after his retirement.

Tendulkar took the mentorship role and Ganguly juggled between mentoring and administrative jobs, but Dravid remained a purist. He first trained the younger colts before taking the responsibility of coaching a team of superstars.

Winning an ICC trophy was the biggest agenda for Rahul Dravid not because India haven't won one since 2013, but also because he was devoid of the silverware himself in his decorated career. India crashed out from the group stage of the 2007 ODI World Cup after losing to Sri Lanka and Bangladesh under his captaincy.

Coming into the T20 World Cup 2024, India were not the favourites to lift the trophy. Dravid had already missed two opportunities as coach to deliver the silverware for India. Having already declared that he would leave the Indian dressing room after the T20 World Cup campaign, everyone was just hoping for a perfect farewell for him.

Good things usually don't happen to good people. Actually, good things happen to good people but it takes time, and it comes in the most dramatic fashion. The cricketing God could no longer be cruel to Dravid and he blessed one of his most hard-working kids with a blockbuster finish in favour of India.

In the final against South Africa on Saturday (June 29), South needed just 30 runs from 30 balls with six wickets in hand. Billions were gearing up for another heartbreak but fate shined on Dravid and his team.

Some brilliant death bowling display from India pacers saw India defend the target by seven runs. Dravid was the first one to celebrate. The 51-year-old punched in the air as soon as the equation came down to nine off one ball with Kagiso Rabada's delivery on the fifth ball of the 20th over.

Rahul Dravid first stood at a distance and smiled as the players lifted the trophy. He was later roped into active participation by Virat Kohli, who handed Dravid his first World Cup title. With a kid-like energy, Dravid roared, holding the silverware in his hand. Moments later amidst the Indian team huddle, he followed Hardik Pandya in rolling on the ground to continue showing his side which was only seen in CRED ads.

India's Test specialist, who saw India lose the WTC and ODI World Cup final under his watch, will now be called India's T20 World Cup-winning coach for the rest of his life.