'Most Respected Guy': Fans React As Rahul Dravid Receives Grand Welcome At Cricket Academy

Rahul Dravid capped off his stint as the head coach of the Indian cricket team on a glorious note. In his final match as in charge, India defeated South Africa by seven runs on June 29 to win the T20 World Cup 2024 final. Under Dravid’s coaching, the Rohit Sharma-led side won all eight matches and became the first team to win the shortest format megaevent with a 100% win record.

The achievement was certainly a historic one for Team India, but for Dravid, it was indeed more special. As a player, Dravid played in three ODI World Cups for India but could not manage to win the prestigious World Cup title. But the trend changed eventually, albeit with Dravid donning a new hat this time. So, it does not come as a surprise that Dravid received a standing ovation upon his return to India as the T20 World Cup-winning head coach. One such incident was witnessed at a cricket academy in Bengaluru, where a young bunch of cricketers paid a jubilant tribute to India’s T20 World Cup-winning head coach.

In a now-viral video, Dravid can be seen being greeted by the budding talents and coaching staff at a cricket academy. “Nice to see World Champions coach Rahul Dravid receiving a hero’s welcome and a guard of honour from young kids at a cricket academy in Bengaluru. Great moment,” read a post shared on X (formerly Twitter).

Wearing a t-shirt and shorts, the 51-year-old former India captain was seen entering the academy, and he was soon felicitated by a bouquet gifted by the coaching staff. Dravid also interacted with the youngsters, who raised their bats in a bid to honour the second-leading run scorer for India in Test cricket.

Fans got to witness Dravid’s down-to-earth side a little while later, when the outgoing India coach was seen asking the kids to lower the bats.

Reacting to the post, showcasing the rousing reception, one social media user commented, “Rahul is the most respected guy everywhere where cricket is played.”

“Yeah, it’s a great moment for the great coach of the world champion,” read another response.

One person wrote, “The Great Wall of India. All the best to one of the greatest human beings for his future endeavours.”

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to announce India’s new head coach soon, as Rahul Dravid’s tenure came to an end with the T20 World Cup win. As per multiple media reports, Gautam Gambhir will be appointed the next coach of the Indian cricket team.