'I Know How Hard he Has Worked' - Ashwin on Former India Head Coach Rahul Dravid's Stint

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Senior spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was full of praise for legend Rahul Dravid, highlighting how hard the former India head coach has worked during his stint to change the team's approach.

Dravid ended his tenure as head coach of the Indian cricket team last month, helping the team end a long wait for an ICC trophy as Rohit Sharma's side won the T20 World Cup in the USA & Caribbean following the victory over South Africa in the final.

Since taking over the head coach role in 2021, Dravid has earned a lot of criticism despite guiding the team to Asia Cup as well as the World Test Championship final and the ODI World Cup final.

While India fell in the final hurdle of the ICC tournaments during Dravid's stint, the team has really done well across formats in the last three years. However, some have drawn comparisons for the failures with the 2007 ODI World Cup debacle.

In defence, Ashwin has said it was easy for people to blame the head coach for every failure, having come into the job on the back of a few disappointments as captain of the team in the 2007 ODI World Cup.

"I want to talk about a person who is sacred. 2007, 50-over World Cup. India gets knocked out. Rahul Dravid, the captain at that point in time. He does not captain the one-day side after that," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

"He has been with the Indian team. If something does not go well, if the Indian team goes out, if they lose a match, immediately, they ask what Dravid is doing."

Ashwin also added that he knew how well Dravid was doing for the team since last two three years and had set out a plan when he was even at home.

"I know what he has been doing with this team for the past two-three years. I know how balanced he has been. I know how hard he has worked to change this approach. I know what he has given each of his players. Even when he is just sitting at home, he has been planning how to do this and that," Ashwin added.

Ashwin revealed that he really felt the moment when Dravid hugged the ICC T20 World Cup and cried after leading the Men in Blue to their first big trophy in 11 years in his final assignment as a coach.

"My moment was When Virat Kohli called Rahul Dravid and gave the cup... I saw him hug the cup and cry. Rahul Dravid screamed and cried. I saw him enjoy it. I felt that a lot," Ashwin said.

Dravid is all set for his next job as per recent reports with a return to Ashwin's team in IPL, Rajasthan Royals, where he is close to being appointed as the head coach ahead of the IPL 2025 season.