Former India captain Rahul Dravid gave his reflections on his coaching career before his last game in charge of the squad on Friday.

The last game of Dravid’s coaching career will take place on Saturday at the Kensington Oval in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 final between South Africa and India.

The former right-hand hitter said that leading the Indian cricket team has been a wonderful educational opportunity for both his family and himself.

“I’ve had a great time. Both my family and I have, in my opinion, learned a lot from it. Over the last 2.5 years, I believe that everyone has grown a sense of loyalty to the Indian squad.

Being here, of course, has meant that I have. However, my family has also participated in every outcome that the Indian team has achieved. So seeing how my two little sons have adapted to it has been incredibly pleasant for me as well. The individuals I’ve worked closely with, my coaching staff, and the sort of people I’ve enjoyed working with,” Dravid said in a video released by BCCI.

The 51-year-old went on to say that he will return the relationships he made while serving.

“I am aware that although there have been successes throughout this period, there have also been moments when things have not gone as smoothly.

And that’s just a natural part of coaching and playing cricket. However, I believe that the relationships and friendships I’ve made will be the most treasured memories I’ll ever have. That will last long after I forget and recall some of these positive or negative outcomes,” Dravid said.

India almost ended their drought without winning an ICC World Cup title several times. Following their triumph in 2011, India was defeated in the 2014 Twenty20 World Cup final.

They were thoroughly defeated by the West Indies in the T20 World Cup semi-finals in 2016. Australia defeated India in 2023 to win their sixth ODI World Cup championship, a record-breaking feat.

If India defeats South Africa in the competition final, they might finally be able to hold the coveted medal in their hands.

The T20 World Cup final will feature a contest between the two undefeated teams in the competition, South Africa and Australia.

Squads:

Rohit Sharma (captain), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Sanju Samson, and Yashasvi Jaiswal are representatives of India.

The following players represent South Africa: Aiden Markram (captain), Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, and Tristan Stubbs.

The following players represent South Africa: Aiden Markram (captain), Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, and Tristan Stubbs.