Cricket-India coach Dravid hails exceptional Rohit despite final heartbreak

AHMEDABAD, India (Reuters) – According to India coach Rahul Dravid, captain Rohit Sharma displayed exceptional leadership despite the team’s six-wicket loss to Australia in the World Cup final, ending their 10-game winning streak in the tournament.

During the World Cup, Rohit played a key role by adopting a more aggressive batting style, providing explosive starts in the powerplay overs, and helping the team reach the final in Ahmedabad as strong favorites after a remarkable run.

Speaking to reporters, Dravid praised Rohit’s batting and his ability to set the tone for the team. He emphasized Rohit’s commitment to playing a positive, attacking brand of cricket and leading by example throughout the tournament.

Dravid further commended Rohit both as a person and as a leader, expressing his high regard for the captain’s performance.

After Rohit scored a 31-ball 47, India found themselves at 81-3, and Dravid believes the team fell 30-40 runs short of posting a competitive total. Australia ultimately chased down the target with seven overs to spare, thanks to Travis Head’s 137.

Dravid explained that the ball seemed to be stopping more in the afternoon than in the evening and cited this as a factor in their inability to hit boundaries and post a more challenging score.

Looking forward, Dravid evaded questions about his own future and stated that the team would reflect on their campaign once the dust has settled from the World Cup final.

He acknowledged the emotional impact of the loss on the team and emphasized the resilience and learning opportunities that come with defeat in sports.

In conclusion, Dravid expressed confidence in the team’s ability to learn from the experience, reflect, and move on from the World Cup final loss.

(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Ahmedabad; Editing by Toby Davis)