The unbreakable bond between Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid
Former India head coach Rahul Dravid recently opened up about his professional equation with current ODI captain Rohit Sharma, praising the veteran batter for his exceptional leadership qualities and deep emotional intelligence. Dravid spoke highly of Rohit's ability to build genuine relationships with his teammates, create a relaxed and supportive dressing room atmosphere, and maintain a strong sense of clarity in his communication and goals. According to Dravid, Rohit’s emotional connection with the players played a crucial role in fostering a close-knit and high-performing unit.
Rahul Dravid reveals about his bond with Rohit Sharma
Dravid also revealed that his coaching philosophy perfectly complemented Rohit's leadership approach. He firmly believed that a team functions best when the captain leads from the front, and Rohit’s clear vision and composed mindset made it easy for him to take charge. The mutual understanding and trust between the two created a strong foundation for India's on-field success. Under their joint stewardship, India enjoyed a period of consistent dominance across formats, with the highlight being their impressive campaign in the 2023 ICC World Cup, where the team made it to the final. Dravid credited this success to the healthy and transparent working relationship they shared, which allowed both the coach and captain to focus on bringing the best out of the team.
"I always felt he deeply cared about the team. Right from the first day, he was very clear about how he wanted to run the team and what was important to him. I think it’s really important in a relationship between a captain and coach. I always believed it should be the captain’s team,” said former Indian head coach Rahul Dravid.
“I have been a player and a captain as well. A captain has to lead the team in terms of the direction he wants to go in. You have to help him in that. And of course, you need to help a captain in terms of helping him get clarity and understanding what’s required,” he added.
Rahul Dravid shared a heartfelt revelation about how Rohit Sharma played a crucial role in influencing one of the most important decisions of his coaching career. After India’s heartbreaking loss to Australia in the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup, Dravid had seriously contemplated stepping down as the head coach of the Indian team. The defeat on home soil had left him emotionally drained, and he felt it might be the right time to walk away. However, it was skipper Rohit Sharma’s unwavering support and encouragement that changed his mind.
According to Dravid, Rohit not only backed him wholeheartedly but also motivated him to stay and continue building on the foundation they had created together that is a massive cricket highlight. The faith that Rohit showed in Dravid’s leadership and coaching methods played a major part in convincing the former Indian captain to extend his tenure. That decision turned out to be a masterstroke, as the Rohit-Dravid duo led India to a historic triumph in the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup held in Barbados. The victory ended India’s long 11-year wait for an ICC trophy and marked a perfect redemption story for both the coach and captain. Their mutual respect and shared vision ultimately paved the way for India’s return to global glory.
"With Rohit, I thought he was very clear in what he wanted from the team, how he wanted the environment to be, how he wanted the atmosphere to be. I think his experience helped him set these things. For me, it was just working with him, challenging him at times on certain things, but also working with him to ensure that he was able to be comfortable in that space,” Dravid added.
Rahul Dravid expressed that his bond with Rohit Sharma was one he would always cherish deeply. Their relationship, built on trust, respect, and shared goals, went beyond just professional collaboration. In a heartfelt farewell note marking the end of Dravid’s coaching tenure, Rohit shared a touching and humorous anecdote that perfectly captured the essence of their camaraderie. He revealed that his wife, Ritika, would often jokingly refer to Dravid as his "work wife," a lighthearted yet meaningful reflection of how close and connected the two had become over time.
