As the final ball of the ICC T20 World Cup was bowled, Rohit Sharma, fielding at cover, raised his arms in triumph before collapsing to the ground in joy. Overwhelmed with emotion, he slapped the ground and let the tears flow. In the dressing room, Rahul Dravid leaped from his chair, screamed with joy, and punched the air, his tears coming a little later.
Across India, hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets early Sunday morning, their faces painted in the tricolours, wearing the signature India blue. From Jammu to Chennai, from Hyderabad to Kolkata, nearly every town and city erupted in celebration, mirroring the euphoria in Barbados.
The victory was secured, and amidst the raw emotion, Virat Kohli, the player of the final, announced his retirement from T20Is. Shortly after, Rohit Sharma did the same. Dravid had already stated his tenure with the team would end after the World Cup. For all three, it was the perfect exit.
As Ian Bishop noted on X, “Not many sportsmen get to write their own exit script or time their departure with precision. Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Rahul Dravid have done it to perfection here.”
The trio’s bond was special, built on mutual trust. Dravid became coach after Kohli’s controversial exit as skipper in 2021. Rohit took over, navigating the team forward with professionalism, avoiding ego clashes. Kohli adapted to their ideas, shared his own, and remained a dedicated team player. The World Cup win was a culmination of two years of preparation, during which Rohit and Kohli played sparingly. Dravid trusted their experience, and they delivered.
This wasn’t a typical teacher-student relationship. “Rahul bhai,” they called him, was a big brother figure, offering guidance and support. Rohit’s response to Dravid’s input strengthened their bond.
“I will miss him as a person,” Dravid said after the win. “His respect, care, and commitment to the team have been outstanding. It’s the person, not just the cricketer, I’ll miss the most.
Rohit reciprocated the sentiment, saying, “He deserved this trophy more than anyone. What he’s done for Indian cricket for the past 20-25 years, this was the only thing left in his cabinet. We’re all proud we could do this for him.”
Rohit also praised Kohli, saying, “He’s been a champion player. At some point, everyone has to say goodbye, and Virat was clear about his decision. I’m happy he performed like he did in the final.”
With these stalwarts working in unison, there was no discontent in the dressing room, strengthening the team further. India’s financial muscle and reserve strength add pressure, but a united team overcame it.
Dravid’s presence provided context, emphasizing that cricket is just a game, not about revenge or redemption. “There is no redemption,” Dravid said. “I was lucky to coach and win a trophy with this group of boys.”
Dravid’s belief that no dream is chased alone will resonate in the India dressing room, even as his tenure ends. It’s a lesson worth remembering, for that’s what trophies are made of.
