Legendary Indian spinner Anil Kumble said that he would have loved to see Rahul Dravid lift the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 title, but Australia shattered the entire nation's dream.
Despite a formidable effort throughout the ICC World Cup 2023, Team India failed to deliver on the big occasion, as the hosts suffered a 6-wicket defeat against Australia in the final at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
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The heartbreaking defeat in the final on Sunday (November 19) against Australia denied Dravid the championship he coveted. Dravid experienced a World Cup final loss for the second time against Australia, having faced a similar outcome as a player in 2003 and now as a coach in 2023.
Anil Kumble was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo: “I would have loved to have him hold the World Cup trophy. He has worked really hard, and it’s not been easy. It’s not easy being an India coach. You’re on the road all the time, and the focus is on you. I don’t know yet (if he will continue as the head coach). It all depends on how he wakes up tomorrow morning and then decides.”
The former Indian head coach also said that it’s sad that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli couldn’t hold the ODI World Cup trophy this time, while also hailing the duo’s performance at the CWC 2023.
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Kohli finished the World Cup 2023 as the highest run-getter with 765 runs, and Rohit was ranked second in the chart with 597 runs in the 11 innings at the ODI World Cup 2023.
Kumble signed off by saying, “It is sad that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli couldn’t hold the trophy at the end. Those two players certainly stood up for India in every moment. It was Rohit giving India the start, and then Virat ensuring that India got the score that they eventually reached.”
