A call from Rohit Sharma after the conclusion of the ODI World Cup last November forced Rahul Dravid to change his mind and continue as head coach after his initial two-year term had ended.

Dravid was unwilling to continue after the showpiece event — India lost to Australia in the final — but “Ro” convinced him to stay on till June, for the T20 World Cup in the US and the West Indies.

“Ro, thank you very much for making that call to me in November and asking (me) to continue,” Dravid, who decided not to extend his tenure following the T20 World Cup, said in a video posted by the BCCI following Saturday’s triumph in Bridgetown.

India ended their 11-year ICC trophy drought, beating South Africa in the final by 7 runs for their second T20 World Cup title. A fitting farewell for Dravid.

“I think it’s been such a privilege and a pleasure to work with each and every one of you, but Ro, also thanks for the time. There is a lot of time we have to chat, we have to
discuss, we have to agree, we have to disagree at times, but thank you so very much,” Dravid said in his final dressing room speech.

The T20 World Cup victory follows India’s loss in the finals of the World Test Championship in June 2023 and the ODI World Cup, both to Pat Cummins’ Australia.

“I’m not usually short of words but on a day like today (Saturday), for me to be part of this, I could not be more grateful,” Dravid said in the video posted on Tuesday. “For the respect, for the kindness, for the effort that each and every one of you have shown to me, to my coaching staff, to my support staff.

“All of you will remember these moments. We always say, it is not about the runs, it is not about the wickets, you never remember your career but you remember moments like this, so let’s really enjoy.

“I could not be more proud of you guys, to come back the way you did, the way you fought, the way we worked as a team...the resilience. There have been some disappointments over the years where we have come close, we have never been able to cross the line,” he said.

Dravid also had a message for Kohli, who announced after the final he’s retiring from T20Is.

“All three whites ticked off. One red to go. Tick it,” he told the former captain in their moment of glory, referring to winning campaigns in the 2011 ODI World Cup, the 2013 Champions Trophy and now the T20 World Cup, all of which Kohli has been a part of. But he had since failed to win the World Test Championship despite reaching the final on both occasions so far.

Dravid also spoke about the sacrifices that people close to every player made during all these years.

“So many sacrifices that each and everyone of you make, to see your families here today enjoying it, so many of your families back home, just think about all the sacrifices, each and everyone of them has made since the time you were kids, for you to be here in the dressing room,” Dravid said.

“Today, your parents, your wives, your children, your brother, your coaches, so many people have made so many sacrifices and worked so hard with you for you to enjoy this memory in this moment... really, really proud to have being a part of this memory with you guys,” he continued.

Dravid also didn’t forget to praise the BCCI officials for their work behind the scenes.

“Behind a great team, there is also a successful organisation and we have to acknowledge the work of BCCI and people behind the scenes for the work they have done,” he said.

Dravid had cited the packed calendar as a major reason for not reapplying for the head coach job. “Unfortunately, just the kind of schedules (that are in place in international cricket) and where I find myself in this stage in my life, I don’t think I’ll be able to reapply,” he had said upon India’s arrival in New York.

Rohit too tried unsuccessfully to convince him to continue as head coach after the T20 World Cup.

“I tried convincing him to stay, but obviously, there are a lot of things that he needs to look after as well,” Rohit, who has also hung up his T20I pads now, said. “But yeah, I’ve personally enjoyed my time with him. I’m sure the rest of the guys will say the same. It’s been great working with him and I hope…”

Return plans

The Indian team, stuck in Bridgetown because of Hurricane Beryl, is set to fly home on a chartered flight on Tuesday evening after Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley said she expected the airport to become operational in the “next six to 12 hours”, ending the shutdown forced by the cyclone.