After India lifted the Under-19 World Cup with an eight-wicket win over Australia on Saturday, a delighted coach Rahul Dravid offered a great perspective on the title. The former India captain said that he hoped the win won’t be the one memory that would define this talented bunch of cricketers as a bigger and more challenging journey awaits them.
“It’s a memory they’ll cherish for a long time and hopefully it’s not a memory that defines them and they will have a lot more bigger and better memories as they go on ahead in their careers,” the junior coach said after India’s fourth ICC U-19 World Cup title.
Dravid spoke about the effort that the entire team and support staff put on for the last 14 months, which showed in the result
“I am really proud of the boys, proud of the effort that they have put in and proud of the support staff as well. I think the effort we have put in over the last 14 months have been sensational. They really deserved this, couldn’t be really happier and proud for this bunch of boys,” the Indian batting great said.
He also praised the support staff comprising fielding coach Abhay Sharma and bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, saying that they don’t always have the spotlight on them.
“Coaching this team, I tend to get a lot of attention, but it is really about the quality of support staff that we have had, there have been seven or eight of us, who have been together for the last 14 months. The effort they put in was incredible,” he said.
“I am proud to be a part of their team and see it as that. We try and do what’s best for the kids and hopefully they can put in the performances on the field and they have certainly done that in this tournament.”