Ajinkya Rahane, cricket fraternity laud Rahul Dravid as India lift 4th U-19 World Cup
Mount Maunganui: India on Saturday lifted a record fourth U-19 World Cup trophy after an eight-wicket rout of Australia in the final, underlining their dominant run in the tournament and giving Rahul Dravid the biggest success of his coaching career.
As it has been the case throughout the tournament, India had all their bases covered with bowlers bouncing back to dismiss Australia for 216 from 183 for four at one stage. The highly-rated batting, barring a minor blip, completed the job with conviction as India chased down the modest target in 38.5 overs.
Also read - Prithvi Shaw, Virat Kohli and other Indian captains to win ICC Under 19 World Cup
With a fourth crown, India also surpassed Australia in the race of most U-19 World Cup titles. Prior to the final, India and Australia were locked at three titles each. The team's performance was also a fitting tribute to coach Dravid, who finally got his hands on a World Cup trophy.
Members of the cricket fraternity showered their praises on ‘The Wall’ Rahul Dravid for nurturing the young talents and helping them achieve their dreams.
Many congratulations to India 🇮🇳 u19 on winning the World Cup ! Great team effort no suprises at all on such a champion side #RahulDravid 👊ðŸ½âœŒï¸
— yuvraj singh (@YUVSTRONG12) February 3, 2018
Every Indian is delighted, all credit to Rahul Dravid for committing himself to these young kids ,and a legend like him deserves to lay his hands on the WC. Only Fitting. #INDvAUS
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) February 3, 2018
Congratulations to the under 19 team ,..great show ..great show rahul,Paras and Abhay @bcci...#RahulDravid
— Sourav Ganguly (@SGanguly99) February 3, 2018
Delighted that @ICC U-19 team has won the world cup! Well done boys, wen you play as a team, we win as a nation 🇮🇳 ! Coach Rahul Dravid has built a very good team,congrats on ths accomplishment! #ICCU19CWC #U19CWCFinal # pic.twitter.com/tbxW7bmhH5
— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) February 3, 2018
Every time this man takes charge of something, the job done is a class apart! Thank You, Rahul Dravid! ðŸ¦ðŸ˜ðŸ'›ðŸ¾ #WhistlePodu pic.twitter.com/JHIHwUgPw5
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) February 3, 2018
"Hopefully it's a memory that they'll cherish for a long long time but hopefully it's not a memory that defines them and they have a lot more"
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) February 3, 2018
Only Rahul Dravid could say that.
A Royal Salute and #HallaBol to 'The Wall' for the brilliant #U19CWC win! ðŸ'¥#BoysInBlue #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/tLw5owUBO6
Yet again silently, Rahul Dravid takes a backseat .What a wonderful man and an inspiration for these boys. No country can boast of having a player anywhere close to his stature working with the junior boys. #BlessedBoys #ICCU19CWC
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) February 3, 2018
Hats off to the World Champion, Team India. Your unbeatable team spirit throughout the series has brought this #U19WC trophy home. Congratulations to the entire team, coach Rahul Dravid and the management for this unparalleled accomplishment. Proud moment. pic.twitter.com/AeznS9oaJG
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) February 3, 2018
Congratulations India, exceptional U19 team, great coach and mentor in Rahul Dravid. Future stars in the making.
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) February 3, 2018
Moment of the day was when Rahul Dravid said ‘I‘m embarrassed to get so much of credit’, He will always take blame for failures, but give credit to the team for success. Today as well, being the coach of world champion team, he quietly walks behind the shadow of the team. #Legend
— R P Singh (@RpSingh99) February 3, 2018
Reassuring to see the warmth with which Rahul Dravid's comments after the #U19WorldCup win have been received. Tells me that humility in success is still appreciated.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 4, 2018
India U-19 coach Rahul Dravid is confident that World Cup triumph won't just be "one memory" that would define this talented bunch of cricketers as a bigger and more challenging journey awaits 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 more bigger and better memories as they go on ahead in their careers," coach Dravid said after India's fourth ICC U-19 World Cup title.
Dravid spoke about the effort that the entire batch put on for the last 14 month, which bore fruit. "I am really proud of the boys, proud of the effort that they have put in and proud of the support staff as well. I think the effort we have put in over the last 14 months have been sensational. They really deserved this, couldn't be really happier and proud for this bunch of boys," the legendary batsman said.
Also read - Here’s how families of U-19 stars reacted after India’s 2018 ICC World Cup triumph
India's Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane on Saturday said that the World Cup winning India U-19 team are lucky to have Rahul Dravid as their coach.
"I watched a little bit (of the match) in the morning. I saw their celebrations and was really happy the way they celebrated. It's a proud moment for all of us," Rahane said on the eve of senior team's second ODI against South Africa.
"They have been really lucky to have Rahul (Dravid) bhai as coach and mentor, plus all the support staff as well. They have been working really hard for the last one and a half years. I am really happy. It’s a very proud moment for all of us," Rahane said.
