India coach Dravid says players must reflect on their tournament campaign despite the disappointment of failing to win a home World Cup.
India coach Rahul Dravid has urged his heartbroken team to move on from the “tough” loss in the ICC Cricket World Cup final against Australia.
Dravid, a former India batter, said the team was distraught after failing to win a home World Cup despite their unbeaten run in the group stages of the tournament.
Australia shocked the hosts, as well as a crowd of more than 100,000 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, by handing India a six-wicket defeat in Sunday’s final.
“There were a lot of emotions in that dressing room,” Dravid told reporters after the match.
“It’s tough to see because you get to know these boys personally. I know how hard these guys have worked, the effort they put in and the sacrifices they have made [to reach the final].”
Dravid said his team was confident of getting over the line, but Australia simply played better on the day.
“There is disappointment in the dressing room but when the dust settles we can reflect on what has been a really good campaign,” the pensive former India captain said.
Despite the disappointment felt by the team and support staff, he reflected on how the loss showed the highs and lows of the sport.
“If you don’t put yourself on the line in games like these then you don’t learn.
“You have great highs and some great lows [in sport] but you keep moving on. You don’t stop.”