Former India head coach Rahul Dravid highlighted that luck plays a huge role in determining the outcomes of big matches at crucial times. He was reflecting on India’s recent T20 World Cup 2024 win, where they defeated South Africa in the final in Barbados.
Dravid used the team's defeat in the ODI World Cup final against Australia and subsequent triumph in the T20 World Cup final against South Africa to demonstrate how fortune can impact even the best-prepared teams.
India reached the ODI World Cup final with a perfect record, having won ten consecutive matches. However, the final against Australia did not go as planned, and Australia won. Six months later, Dravid and skipper Rohit Sharma had another chance at glory in the T20 World Cup final against a formidable South African side. Luck was on India's side this time.
Rahul Dravid was felicitated with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the CEAT Cricket Rating Awards 2024 in Mumbai on Wednesday.
"I've had time to reflect on it. I've had time to reflect on a lot of things we've done. You do realize, that sometimes, you have to do a lot of these things, you have to do the process, and you have to do everything right. Sometimes at the end of the day, you need a little bit of luck," Dravid said at the event.
Dravid described the anxious moments in the T20 World Cup final when India defended 30 runs off the last 30 balls. He applauded the team's execution and Rohit's coolness under pressure but also emphasized a critical moment. Suryakumar Yadav's sensational catch at the boundary eliminated David Miller, turning the game in India's favor.
In contrast, Dravid recalled how Australia's Travis Head rode his luck to reach a match-winning century in the ODI World Cup final, despite India's bowlers repeatedly beating his bat.
"Sometimes, it's the skill, but you also need someone who can keep their foot within one inch of a line (referring to Suryakumar Yadav’s catch).
I remember whatever it was, we beat Travis Head's bat 15 times — he didn't touch a single ball. You know, things can go your way sometimes,” Dravid stated.
Dravid voiced hope about the future of Indian cricket. He believes that with players like Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav at the helm, the team will continue to excel on a global scale.
(PTI inputs)
