India's head coach, Rahul Dravid, emphasized the significance of moving on from defeats, noting that players are taught from an early age to put setbacks behind them and focus on the next opportunity.
Dravid stated that the Test team is fired up to perform well in South Africa for the much-anticipated two-Test series, which begins on December 26.
Notably, India had lost the final of the ICC World Cup 2023 ahead of the South Africa series and coach Dravid conceded that the players and the members of the support staff were disappointed after India lost the World Cup final and stressed that the team couldn't afford to dwell on it.
The likes of Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Virat Kohli have all returned to competitive action for the first time since the World Cup final defeat.
"It's happened in the past, yes it's disappointing, but we have moved on from it. Now you have got something ahead of you. Players are good at that (moving on). We are forced to do that, we learn how to do that from the time we are kids. Every time you get out, you are disappointed, you have another innings to play, and you have to perform in the next innings, so you can't let the disappointment of the past stay with you. As cricketers, you learn how to deal with that, from the time you are kids. If you let the disappointment in the past stay with you, it will affect you in the next game," Dravid told the press on Sunday.
"Yes, the guys are disappointed, we were all disappointed. But we have all moved on from it now and we are looking forward to something that is ahead of us," he added.
Rohit and Kohli both took a long hiatus to spend time with their families. Coach Dravid stated that no one in the Centurion dressing room lacked motivation and that the players are eager to take advantage of the opportunity to do something exceptional in South Africa.
"I don't think you need to motivate players to play for India. I don't think any of our players are lacking in motivation. Coming to play in South Africa, representing your country, playing Test cricket here with an opportunity to play some very good cricket, I don't think anyone is lacking in motivation. I did not have to motivate anyone.
I don't believe in motivating my players, I believe in creating the right environment, ensuring the right processes, ensuring we practice well, tick all the boxes physically, mentally and tactically. That's really my job as a coach; giving the players the best chance to succeed. There are really some motivated guys out there in the team," he added.
India is yet to win a Test series in South Africa and has only drawn two series so far.
(PTI inputs)
