"I tried convincing him to stay": Rohit on Rahul Dravid as India's head coach

Rohit Sharma, Rahul Dravid (Pic: File Pic)

Team India's captain Rohit Sharma said that he had tried to convince Rahul Dravid to stay as coach of the national team. Ahead of India's T20 World Cup 2024 match against Ireland, Dravid said it would be his last act as India's head coach.

After coaching the national team for almost three years, Rahul Dravid's contract will come to an end by the end of this month and the veteran is not interested in reapplying for the position. There have been speculations of former Indian opening batsman Gautam Gambhir becoming the next head coach, but the news is not confirmed yet.

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"I've enjoyed every bit of it, working with him," Rohit, who has played under and with Dravid for India, told reporters on the eve of the Ireland game. He added: "I tried convincing him to stay, but obviously there are a lot of things that he needs to look after as well."

"I've personally enjoyed my time with him. I'm sure the rest of the guys will say the same. It's been great working with him." So far, under Rahul Dravid's stint, India is yet to win an ICC event, but the skipper was full of praise for the 51-year-old former national skipper.

"Such a big role model for all of us," Rohit said. "Growing up we watched him play and we know what he's achieved personally as a player and what he's done for the team over the years."

He added: "He's shown a lot of great determination throughout his career, and that's something that when he came here as a coach, I wanted to learn from him. "It's been very fruitful." Dravid took over the team from Ravi Shastri after the 2021 T20 World Cup.

This year's edition in the United States and West Indies is his last chance to end India's search for major international silverware that stretches back to 2013. Team India under Dravid managed to reach the finals of the World Test Championship and the ODI World Cup 2023 but lost both big events against Australia.

(With AFP Inputs)