Former England cricketer Michael Vaughan has praised India head coach Rahul Dravid for his magnificent efforts for the team. He stated that the former India captain did his duty and left the team in great shape for Gautam Gambhir to take over.

Rahul Dravid’s tenure as head coach ended after the Indian national cricket team won the 2024 T20 World Cup. The former India captain made sure to leave the team on a high, ensuring India ended the 11-year title drought, having won the Champions Trophy in 2013.

Rahul Dravid was brought in as India’s head coach after the 2022 T20 World Cup. He took responsibility for the team when they were struggling and there were other external factors too, including the Virat Kohli captaincy saga, and the team potentially took a hit at that time.

Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma brought everyone together and changed the way the team played cricket. They introduced a fearless attitude that made the players understand their role and gave clarity and confidence to the individuals.

Although they had their share of disappointments, they made sure they finished on a high. With Dravid at the helm, India lost the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final, the 2023 ICC World Test Championship final and the 2023 ICC World Cup final at home.

Rahul Dravid was then given an extension as head coach till the 2024 T20 World Cup and he made sure that he shined in the final. His sensational work as a coach enabled India to lift the 2024 T20 World Cup and finally get their hands on the World Cup trophy.

Michael Vaughan, speaking about Rahul Dravid’s coaching career, stated that when the former India captain was appointed as the head coach, he knew it would be something special. He pointed out the consistency of the team under Dravid. Speaking to Cricbuzz, he explained:

“Again, a bit like Rohit, he’s one of the great people in the game. He’s as honest as anyone and a hard worker. I knew as soon as he got the India job that the rest of the world was going to be in trouble. I really did. I mean, I’m amazed they haven’t gotten over the finish line in the World Test Championship and the World Cup in November. But what he’s brought is so much. He was a consistent player.

“He was doing well all day long. And it’s no surprise that India have become very, very consistent under his coaching because he demanded that the processes were right. In sport you hear about processes all the time but it’s really that simple. If you apply the process day in and day out, the performance takes care of itself. And I think under Rahul’s tenure, if you like, as a coach, India have been very consistent. They have very rarely had bad weeks. They may have been beaten but it’s because the opponents have played really good cricket.”

I don’t remember ever seeing an Indian team crumble, give up and surrender: Michael Vaughan on Rahul Dravid’s tenure as head coach

Michael Vaughan, speaking about Rahul Dravid’s tenure as head coach, said that under him, India did not give up. He stressed that when Gautam Gambhir takes over as coach, he will be delighted rather than feeling pressured to win trophies because he will have an immensely talented squad. He elaborated:

“I don’t remember ever seeing an Indian team that has collapsed and given up. That is, once again, Rahul Dravid at his best. He would never, ever give up. He would never, ever do that. He has thrown in the towel as a player, as a batsman, as a captain. Everything was purely dedicated to trying to do the best for India, and he has done exactly the same as India’s coach. I predict that Gautam Gambhir will replace Rahul Dravid. Some people will say, oh, there is pressure on Gautam now. Because they won a World Cup. I don’t know. I think he would be absolutely delighted.

“If you like coaching, I would say if there was one team you would want to coach, it would be the Indian team with so much talent because there are so many trophies to play for now in the next few years that Gautam will know he is getting a great team with all the talent.” “He has all the skills, the right mix of experience and youth, and a lot of young players who can put pressure on the senior players to make sure they stay sharp as well. Rahul Dravid is leaving Indian cricket in a great state, and that’s all you can ask for. When you get a job, can you leave it in a better position when you leave it? He certainly has,” he concluded.