December 25, 2023 Following the heartbreaking loss in the Cricket World Cup 2023 final to Australia, the Indian cricket team, led by captain Virat Kohli and vice-captain Rohit Sharma, is preparing for their upcoming challenge against South Africa in a 2-match Test series. Head coach Rahul Dravid addressed the media, acknowledging the disappointment of the World Cup defeat but emphasizing the team’s ability to move forward.
Expressing the team’s sentiment, Dravid stated, “Yes, it’s disappointing, but we have moved on from it. Players are good at that (moving on). We are forced to do that, we learn how to do that from the time we are kids. Every time you get out, you are disappointed, you have another innings to play, you have to perform in the next innings, so you can’t let the disappointment of the past stay with you.”
Dravid highlighted the resilience ingrained in cricketers from a young age, emphasizing the importance of not letting past disappointments affect future performances. He acknowledged the collective disappointment but stressed the team’s focus on the challenges that lie ahead.
“Yes, the guys are disappointed, we were all disappointed. But we have all moved on from it now and we are looking forward to something that is ahead of us,” Dravid added.
As India prepares for the Test series in South Africa, a country where they haven’t won a Test series before, Dravid expressed confidence in the team’s motivation. He stated, “I don’t think you need to motivate players to play for India. I don’t think any of our players are lacking in motivation. Coming to play in South Africa, representing your country, playing Test cricket here with an opportunity to play some very good cricket, I don’t think anyone is lacking in motivation.”
Dravid emphasized his coaching philosophy, stating, “I don’t believe in motivating my players, I believe in creating the right environment, ensuring the right processes, ensure we practice well, tick all the boxes physically, mentally and tactically. That’s really my job as a coach; giving the players the best chance to succeed. There are really some motivated guys out there in the team.”
As India looks ahead to the challenges in South Africa, the focus remains on creating a conducive environment for success and harnessing the intrinsic motivation of the players to perform at their best.
Read Now:Escalation of Conflict: Israeli Strike Kills Dozens in Gaza, Heightening Regional Tensions
