NEW DELHI: Despite India’s stellar batting unit facing challenges on the biggest stage, head coach Rahul Dravid he supported his players and emphasized that they did not play defensively, but rather responded to the demands of the game circumstances.
IN World Cup final against Australia scored a sub-par total of 240 in Ahmedabad, India.The Australian team under management Pat Cumminsthey successfully chased the goal in 43 power-ups and secured a record sixth world championship title.
After losing three wickets for 81 runs, Virat Kohli (54 off 63) and KL Rahul (66 off 107) adopted a consolidation strategy in the middle overs where the hosts struggled to find the boundary, managing just two at this stage of the innings. .
Dravid’s support for the players indicates an understanding of the challenges they faced and an acknowledgment that their approach was influenced by the specific dynamics of the game. Regardless of the final result, Dravid’s support reflects a coaching philosophy that takes into account the context and adaptability required in high-pressure situations like a World Cup final.
“We played fearless cricket, we had 80 runs in the first over. Sometimes you have to rebuild the innings after losing a few wickets, we were not defensive,” a disappointed Dravid told reporters at the post-match press conference.
India, who last won the ICC trophy in 2013, have failed to win the title in the Rohit Sharma-Rahul Dravid era, which began after the T20 World Cup debacle in November 2021.
Dravid was in charge until the ODI World Cup and was non-committal when asked about his future.
“I haven’t thought about next year’s T20 World Cup, I don’t know what the future holds,” Dravid said, referring to the T20 World Cup in the US and the Caribbean in six months.

India were on course in this tournament until their colossus was ended by the all-round Australia, who know how to excel on the biggest stage.
Captain Rohit Sharma led from the front with his gutsy strokeplay throughout the contest and Dravid heaped praise on him and the team.
“Rohit has been an exceptional leader who has always been committed to planning and devoting personal time and energy to this campaign. Obviously there is disappointment, but this team has brought a lot of joy over the last few months.”
“Obviously Rohit and the team are disappointed and it’s hard to see the emotions as a coach in that dressing room. But the sun will rise tomorrow and we move on as sportsmen,” he added.
(With PTI inputs)