India Cricket Team head coach Rahul Dravid gets his perfect send off. The Wall of Indian cricket had previously announced that the ICC T20 World Cup would be his last. And now that the date has arrived, it is time to look back and access how he and his side has faired over the years. Over 6 major tournaments, Dravid has been able to help India win just 2 of the trophies.
At one of time, it look certain that Dravid’s won’t be able to help India win any trophy. But Rohit Sharma and Co broke the jinx when they won the Asia Cup 2023. And then they toppled it up by lifting the T20 World Cup 2024 crown in Barbados.
Initial Phase
Team India under Dravid have been inconsistent to say the very least. Be it strong wins or humiliating losses, India have experienced all over the last couple of years. Rahul Dravid took over the reins of the team after Ravi Shastri and went on to win against New Zealand which included a 1-0 Test win and 3-0 T20I win.
This was followed by 2-1 loss in Tests and 3-0 loss in ODIs to South Africa away from home in January 2021. Coming the home legs, India comfortably defeated West Indies 3-0 each in T20Is and ODIs. India also lost the one off toss away to England.
Mega Losses in Asia Cup & T20 WC
With the bilateral series over, it was time for the Team India to turn their attention to Asia Cup 2022 and then the ICC T20 World Cup. India put out disastrous performances in both the tournaments. The Men in Blue failed to manage to make it to the super 4s of Asia Cup.
The T20 World Cup wasn’t better. The team went on to face England in the semis. The Three Lions humiliated India by winning the semis by 10 wickets and eventually lifting the title.
The rest of the bilateral series were so and so, wining mostly all, apart from ODI series to Bangladesh and Australia. And then came the big WTC Final. India huffed and puffed by were belittled by the mighty Aussies at the iconic Lords.
Last Dash for Gold
India decimated West Indies across all three formats before traveling to Sri Lanka for Asia Cup 2023. The Men in Blue looked like a team possessed to etch out their best performance. And Rohit Sharma’s boys eventually did the same, by humiliating Sri Lanka in the finals.
Under Rahul Dravid, Team India lifted their maiden trophy. But the ICC trophy was still evading the clutches. A determined Indian team then hosted the ODI World Cup at their home soil. India went unbeaten all the way to the finals, till that fateful date of 19th November. Australia pulled out a splendid performance as India were left heartbroken at Ahmedabad.
In the bilateral series leading to the T20 World Cup, India crushed everyone save the T20I and Test series against South Africa away from home. And then came the T20 World Cup. Rohit Sharma and Co again went undefeated and then turned the tide at the last moment to lift the T20 World Cup trophy to end their 11 year old ICC Trophy jinx.
It has been a sublime journey for Rahul Dravid who is expected to take a break from coaching for a couple of months. While India continues their hunt for the next head coach, Rahul Dravid will be happy with his work.
Rahul Dravid’s Performance as India Cricket Team Head Coach
| Date | vs | Test | ODI | T20I |
| Nov-Dec 2021 | NZ | Won 1-0 | Won 3-0 | |
| Dec-21- Jan 22 | SA | Lost 2-1 | Lost 3-0 | |
| Feb 2022 | WI | Won 3-0 | Won 3-0 | |
| July 2022 | ENG | Loss 1-0 | ||
| Asia Cup 2022 | Lost | |||
| T20 WC 2022 | Lost | |||
| Dec 2022 | BAN | Lost 2-1 | Won 2-0 | |
| Jan 2023 | SL | Won 3-0 | Won 2-1 | |
| Jan-Feb 2023 | NZ | Won 3-0 | Won 2-1 | |
| Feb-Mar 2023 | AUS | Lost 2-1 | Won 2-1 | |
| WTC 2023 Final | AUS | Lost | ||
| July – Aug 2023 | WI | Won 1-0 | Won 2-1 | Lost 3-2 |
| Asia Cup 2023 | Won | |||
| World Cup 2023 | Lost | |||
| Nov 2023 | AUS | Won | ||
| Dec-Jan 2023-24 | SA | Draw 1-1 | Won 2-1 | Draw 1-1 |
| Jan 2024 | AFG | Won 2-1 | ||
| Feb-March 2024 | ENG | Won 4-1 | ||
| T20 World Cup 2024 | Won |
Editors pick
