Rahul Dravid hopes World Cup title won’t be memory that defines U-19 team

The exemplary collective display by the Team India in the U-9 World Cup is a testimonial to their head coach, Dravid, who has given years of selfless service to the country but could never win the trophy. The way the colts conducted themselves in the tournament drew praise from all across the cricketing world and the former cricketer gets much of the credit for it.

However, Dravid gave all credit to his team after the game, as expected, and seemed confident that the quality bunch won’t be remembered only by this "one memory", as bigger and tougher challenges await them.

"It's a memory they'll cherish for a long time and hopefully it's not a memory that defines them and they will have a lot bigger and better memories as they go on ahead in their careers," said Dravid said after the final game, as quoted by PTI.

The impeccable execution by the team in all departments stemmed from the immense preparations by the players and the coaching staffs over the last 14 months. Apart from Dravid, the staff also had the likes of fielding coach Abhay Sharma, bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, and Dravid made sure to shower upon them.

“Coaching this team, I tend to get a lot of attention, but it is really about the quality of support staff that we have had, there have been seven or eight of us, who have been together for the last 14 months. The effort they put in was incredible.

"I am proud to be a part of their (support staff) team and see it as that. We try and do what's best for the kids and hopefully they can put in the performances on the field and they have certainly done that in this tournament," said Dravid.

Young Prithvi Shaw added yet another feather to his cap and exhibited a brilliant example of leadership throughout the campaign. Though he was all praise for his teammates and coaching staffs too, he made sure to single out Dravid and Mhambrey among them.

“Can't express what I'm feeling right now, really proud. All credit to our support staff for really supporting us for the last two years. Rahul sir himself is a legend, 'The Wall' as we all know him. Full credit to our coaching staff. When you have two guys (Dravid and Paras Mhambrey), who have played international cricket, it gives you great insights," Shaw said.