Didn't visit the Pakistani dressing room, congratulated one of their fast-bowlers: Rahul Dravid

India during their victorious campaign in the 2018 U19 World Cup handed a massive defeat to Pakistan when the Indian bowlers ran through the batting attack and bundled the arch-rivals for 69 runs. They fell short by 203 runs from India’s target. India led by Prithvi Shaw then beat Australia in the finals to lift their record fourth 4th title. The accolades for the captain and coach of the side Rahul Dravid is doing rounds at every corner of the country.

However, there was a report that the Indian coach had visited the dressing room of Pakistan after the rampage by his side in the semifinals of the World Cup. Pakistan team manager, Nadeem Khan had said that Rahul Dravid visited the Pakistani dressing room. “It was a very nice gesture only confirming Dravid’s stature in our eyes,” Khan had said while talking about the visit by former India captain.

The victorious Indian side along with the support staff has arrived in the country. Both Shaw and Dravid were addressing a media gathering upon their arrival where they were sharing their experiences.

Dravid denies visiting the dressing room

One of the reporters asked Dravid about his visit to the opponents dressing room. 45-year-old Dravid was quick to deny the same. Dravid clarified that he did not visit their dressing room but spoke to one of their fast-bowler whom the Indian coach thought was a very promising talent.

He said that he congratulated the bowler for his brilliant outing in the tournament. “I did not go into their dressing room. They had a talented left-arm fast bowler and I thought, he bowled really well in the tournament. So, I just congratulated him. I met him outside their dressing room and said, well done in the tournament. It’s nice,” the Indian coach said during the press conference.

He said that even the Pakistani players were very appreciative about India’s performances. Dravid’s Pakistani counterpart told Dravid a number of times that the standard of India cricket has set a great benchmark for all other countries. “As a coach, it is exciting to see a good talent. We had some great talent and they were very appreciative of our cricketers as well. Their coaches mentioned to me so many times that the standard of cricket we have seen your guys play is a benchmark for a lot of us. They were very effusive in their praise and I also acknowledged the fact that they had some very good talent as well,” Dravid told the reporters.