India head coach Rahul Dravid lost his cool during a press conference ahead of India’s first Super Eight clash in the T20 World Cup 2024 against Afghanistan. Dravid recalled the 1997 Test match between India and West Indies played in Barbados, which India lost despite taking the lead after the first innings.
While Dravid scored an excellent 78 in the first innings of the Test, he was dismissed for just 2 runs in the second innings. India failed to reach a target of 120 runs as they made only 81 runs in their second innings and lost the match by 38 runs. No Indian batsman apart from VVS Laxman reached double figures in the second innings.
Conversation between Rahul Dravid and the reporter.
Rahul Dravid was involved in a war of words with a journalist at the press conference. When the legendary Indian batsman was asked about the 1997 Barbados Test, Dravid replied that he is only concentrating on the task at hand and not on what happened 25 years ago. Here is the conversation between the two:
Journalist: “Rahul, you as a player have played here. Aren’t those the best memories of the 97th Test?”
Dravid: “Geez, thanks a lot mate! I’ve had some other good memories here too.”
Journalist: “That’s actually my question. An opportunity for you to probably create new and much better memories tomorrow?”
Dravid: “Oh my God! I’m not trying to do anything new, man!
As the conversation continued, Dravid emphasized the need to move forward and not dwell on the past.
“I move through things very quickly. That’s one of my things. I don’t look back. I try to see what I’m doing now, in this moment. I’m not worried about what happened in ’97 or something like that. Last year,” Dravid said.
“By winning this… you know. If you had told me that by winning this, we wouldn’t have scored 80 points and we would have scored 121, then I would have been upset. But, even if we won this game tomorrow, unfortunately, that will still be 80 in the scorecard, no matter how hard I try and do it. No, I don’t think about any retribution. What is in front of me, good or bad?
The ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 is Dravid’s last assignment as India’s head coach as his contract will expire after this tournament. Dravid has decided not to reapply for the job as the BCCI is set to announce India’s next head coach at the end of June.
Indian batsmen against Afghanistan spinners are the battle to watch out for
India will play their first Super Eight match against Afghanistan on June 20 in Barbados. Kensington Oval, traditionally known for its pace and bounce, has been losing speed over the years. The pitches have been slow in this tournament so far and have helped the spinners more which will bring the Afghanistan spinners into the game.
After facing Afghanistan, India will move to Antigua to face Bangladesh on June 22. The Men in Blue will play their final Super Eight match against 2021 champions Australia in Saint Lucia.
