Former India head coach Rahul Dravid has expressed strong confidence in the Indian cricket team's prospects as they prepare to defend their T20 World Cup crown, with the tournament set to commence on February 7. Dravid, who recently celebrated the fulfilment of a long-cherished dream when India ended a 13-year ICC title drought on June 29, 2024, has tipped the Men in Blue as formidable favorites.
India's Dominant Form and Exceptional Approach
Dravid highlighted the exceptional approach of the current Indian team under the leadership of captain Suryakumar Yadav and head coach Gautam Gambhir. He pointed to India's impressive unbeaten streak in T20 International series, which has lasted nearly three years. Their last defeat in a T20I series came against the West Indies back in August 2023, making them a daunting force heading into the home World Cup.
A Cautionary Note on T20 Cricket's Unpredictability
Despite his optimism, Dravid offered a crucial reminder about the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket. He emphasized that even the strongest teams can be undone by a single off day. Reflecting on past experiences, particularly the disappointment of November 19, 2023, Dravid stated, "Irrespective of how strong the Indian team is, one bad day in the office can undo everything."
Dravid revealed that he had considered stepping down from his coaching role after India's brilliant 10-match winning streak at the previous World Cup. However, he was persuaded by then-captain Rohit Sharma to continue for another six months, a decision that ultimately led to India's historic title victory.
Statistical Dominance and Semi-Final Expectations
Highlighting India's statistical superiority in T20 cricket, Dravid noted their remarkable 80% success rate in recent years. "They clearly start as favorites, and they will make it to the semi-finals," he asserted during an event celebrating the book The Rise of the Hitman by R. Kaushik. "But as I have learned to my bitter disappointment, it's about the better team on the day. Anybody can play a good knock and upset you."
Rohit Sharma's Transformative Leadership
Dravid reserved special praise for Rohit Sharma's role in transforming India's white-ball cricket approach. Following India's disappointing exit against England in the 2022 T20 World Cup, Rohit initiated a batting revolution that continues to yield positive results.
"There was a feeling that we were slightly behind in white-ball cricket and needed to push the envelope a little more," Dravid explained. "Run rates were going up, risk-taking was increasing, and we needed to adapt to that reality. What was brilliant was that Rohit took the lead immediately. He took responsibility for setting the tempo himself, rather than asking others to do it."
The Mark of True Leadership
Dravid emphasized how Rohit's personal commitment made it easier to implement changes throughout the team. "When your leader stands up and says, 'I will do this, even if it comes at the cost of my average or my personal numbers,' it becomes much easier to pass that message through the team," he noted.
The former coach particularly appreciated how seamlessly Rohit managed the transition into leadership. "I thought Rohit managed the transition into leadership really well. The team never felt that he had changed, and that is a rare and important quality in a leader," Dravid concluded, underscoring the psychological impact of consistent leadership during periods of strategic transformation.
