The World Cup 2023 final between India and Australia left the Indian cricket team emotionally shattered, with players shedding tears in the dressing room. Coach Rahul Dravid, unable to contain his own emotions, shared the poignant scenes during a press conference.
The intense World Cup final held at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium ended in disappointment for India as they faced a six-wicket defeat against Australia. This marked Australia's sixth World Cup triumph since 2013, while India continues to await a major ICC trophy win.
The post-match scenes were emotionally charged, with fast bowler Mohammed Siraj visibly distraught on the field, comforted by teammate Jasprit Bumrah. The emotions carried into the dressing room, where not only Siraj but several players struggled to hold back tears.
In a press conference addressing the media, Coach Rahul Dravid expressed the difficulty of witnessing his players' emotional breakdown. He revealed, "Yes, absolutely, they (the players) are disappointed. Many players in the dressing room are disheartened. Emotions were running high in the dressing room. As a coach, it was challenging for me to see that. I know how hard these guys have worked. I am aware of their contributions and sacrifices."
Reflecting on the team's hard work in the preceding months, Dravid stated, "We have worked hard in the past month. Everyone saw the type of cricket we played. This is a game, and such things happen in sports. It may be that the better team won today, but tomorrow the sun will rise, and we will learn from our mistakes and move forward, as everyone does. If you don't put yourself at stake, you won't experience the heights of greatness. You won't learn unless you put yourself out there."
Despite the heartbreak of the World Cup final loss, Coach Rahul Dravid emphasised the resilience of the Indian cricket team. The emotional scenes in the dressing room revealed the deep passion and commitment of the players, setting the stage for reflection and growth in the future.
