Former India batter and the head of National Cricket Academy, VVS Laxman, said the T20 World Cup triumph meant a lot to the country, adding it was a special feeling when Rohit Sharma’s men fought back from the jaws of defeat in the final against South Africa in Barbados on June 29. Laxman recalled the grand celebrations that began in Barbados and ended in Mumbai, highlighting his former teammate Rahul Dravid’s outpouring of emotions.
Laxman lauded Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for giving Rahul Dravid the space he deserved during the celebrations after the T20 World Cup final. The legendary batter praised Kohli for inviting Dravid to the trophy celebrations and helping give way to one of the most emotional moments during the trophy celebrations at the Kensingston Oval.
“And then someone like Rahul, with whom I have played so much cricket, I have known him for so many years, for him to show so much emotions, first when the last ball was bowled and the conversations he was having with various team members. When he lifted the World Cup, I thought it was a great gesture by Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to hand over the trophy. And the way he celebrated lifting the trophy showed how much it meant to each one of them,” VVS Laxman said in a video for the BCCI from Harare.
Laxman was referring to the heartwarming moment during India’s trophy celebration after the big final in which Kohli went up to Dravid and asked the head coach to come to the fore and enjoy the triumph. Dravid was trying to stay away from the spotlight after Rohit Sharma collected the World Cup trophy, but Kohli made sure Dravid joined the party. Dravid celebrated wildly, taking the cricket fraternity by surprise.
“Everyone showed their emotions. It showed how much it meant to each and every player of that squad. It’s not only the playing XI. Even the support staff and the coaching staff, the emotions were high. You saw Hardik Pandya break down and show his emotions after bowling the last over. We saw Rohit Sharma on the ground,” Laxman added.
