India’s head coach Rahul Dravid lauded the team after winning the five-match Test series against England by 4-1. The hosts won the fifth Test match at Dharamsala by an innings and 64 runs as they came up with a collective show against the visitors.
Dravid admitted that the team was challenged throughout the series but they found a way to bounce back in the crucial stages. The chief coach feels everyone put their hand up when it was needed and delivered for the team.
India had their backs against the wall against England in the Ranchi Test when they were 177-7 after the tourists posted 353 runs on the board. However, Dhruv Jurel was able to bail his team out of trouble as he scored a fine knock of 90 runs.
“There were times in this series where we were really challenged, pushed and we found a way to bounce back. It just speaks to the skills, resilience and character we have. On many occasions in this series, the games could’ve gone either way, but we always found people in this dressing room who stepped up and turned the game our way. That was fantastic.
“We not only need to win games where we have to fight and bounce back, but we have to also win the games where we are ahead and don’t let the opposition come back. Well done on that as well, great stuff. We spoke about this in the start of the series as well, irrespective of whether we win or lose, this will teach us a lot,” said Dravid in a video posted on bcci.tv.
Similarly young players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Devdutt Padikkal, Sarfaraz Khan, and Akash Deep delivered for the team. Moreover, veterans like Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav also came up with consistent performances.
“Five-match Test series, you are going to go through lots of ups and downs, you are going to be tested in a long series, and it is going to teach us a lot as players and as a team, and a lot about you as people. We have come through that exceptionally with flying colors. We faced challenges both on and off the field, but the way we stuck together as a group was absolutely phenomenal.
“For a lot of young guys, you are going to need each other to succeed. Whether you are a batter or a bowler, your success is tied in with other people’s success. All of you are invested in each other’s success, and that’s really important going forward. Well done on that and as a young group going forward, I hope a lot of you will play for a long time and support each other and help each other grow as players.”
Dravid also gave his gratitude to the support staff and said it has been his pleasure to work with a dedicated team.
