Suryakumar Yadav reveals why Rahul Dravid thanked Rohit Sharma for phone call in November

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Suryakumar Yadav has revealed why Rahul Dravid thanked Rohit Sharma for giving him in a phone call in November after India lost the ODI World Cup final against Australia in Ahmedabad.

Rahul Dravid was in no mood to continue as Team India head coach after India's heartbreak defeat but decided to continue till the T20 World Cup 2024 after heavy persuasion from Rohit Sharma and BCCI secretary Jay Shah.

As fate had it, Rahul Dravid's dream to lift an ICC World Cup came true on the final day of his office as the head coach of senior India men's cricket team. South Africa needed just 30 runs off the last 30 balls with six wickets in hand, but India miraculously turned the table in their favour to end their 13-year wait for a World Cup.

51-year-old Rahul Dravid, who failed to lift the trophy during his playing career, celebrated like a kid with the T20 World Cup trophy, depicting the emotions of billions back at home.

In an interview with The Indian Express, Suryakumar Yadav revealed Dravid thanked Rohit Sharma for the call which convinced him to continue as the India coach.

"In the end, he came and thanked Rohit and said, "Thank you, Rohit, for that phone call in November", because he didn't want to continue after (India's loss in) the 50-over World Cup but Rohit and Jay sir (BCCI secretary Jay Shah) convinced him to stay," Suryakumar told The Indian Express.

"That 30-second clip, when he took the trophy in his hand and screamed... that moment when he expressed his happiness. I think I will save that clip for life," he said.

Suryakumar Yadav praised Rahul Dravid for shielding the players and being their protector during his tenure. He also acknowledged how Dravid allowed the batters to follow their instinct and did not impose anything.

"Wall kabhi chhupta nahi hai (wall doesn't hide) (laughs) and Indranagar ke wall ko koi kabhi chhupa nahi sakta hai. He has created a wall which protects us from the expectations of people, pressure, and to provide comfort to the players.

"Virat bhai also said the same thing the other day about 'the way you have played and seen cricket in your time and to come out and give the freedom to players in this format ...' If a batsman felt that this is right, he will say 'ok, if you feel it's right, you make that decision'. He never imposed his experience on anyone. He understood others and thought about what others were thinking. These are small things that we forget after winning a tournament. His contribution was massive. His sense of humour is awesome," Suryakumar Yadav said.