Indian men’s cricket team head coach Rahul Dravid (BCCI)
Dravid, who is set for his final assignment at the helm of the Indian team, expressed that the players are good at taking defeats in their stride ahead of the championship encounter against South Africa.
Team India take on debutant finalists South Africa in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 at the Kensington Oval in Barbados on Saturday and head coach of the men in blue Rahul Dravid, who is set for his final assignment at the helm of the side would look to sign off with a second crown in the event for the nation.
Ahead of the summit clash against the Proteas, Dravid, who was also the coach during India’s run to the final at the ODI World Cup last year, expressed that the players are good at taking defeats in their stride and opined that they have moved on from the psyche-crushing defeat at Ahmedabad to Australia.
“Players are very good at moving on from things, recognizing things. So, we will move on from Ahmedabad. I’m sure they will not be thinking about history. It’ll be a fresh day,” said the head coach.
India who dominated the event on home soil before falling at the final hurdle against the Aussies, will look to remedy their wounds with a title in the Caribbean.
Dravid noted the aspirations of the other finalists as well and acknowledged their merit, and expressed confidence that his side would play better on the deciding day.
“No, nothing. I thought we were very well-prepared in Ahmedabad (ODI WC). We ticked all the boxes and, on that day, the other team played better. That’s part of the sport,” Dravid said about the final against Australia.
“The other team that’s coming there to play has also obviously reached the final because they’re a good team and they’re playing very good cricket as well. So, they have as much right to win it as we do, but we hope that we’ll play better cricket on the day,” he added.
Both teams are unbeaten in the tournament heading into the final and Dravid, fondly known as ‘The Wall’, hoped to be on the triumphant side of history on this occasion.
“Two good teams, two teams I think that everyone will agree will probably be the top two teams in this tournament. So, deserving finals for both the teams. And, hopefully, it’s a great game of cricket. Hopefully, we fall on the right side,” Dravid said.
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