No pain for failing to lift World Cup as a player: Rahul Dravid

India Under-19 captain Prithvi Shaw and head coach Rahul Dravid spoke with the media on Monday after returning from their victorious ICC Under-19 World Cup campaign in New Zealand. The captain-coach duo reflected on the preparation for the tournament, the journey during the campaign and the approach they followed throughout while speaking to the media.

Since an ICC event is incomplete without an India vs Pakistan encounter, the U-19 World Cup saw one too, in the semi-finals. Even though the pressure while preparing for the match is high, the team showed a calm, mature exterior during the clash and went on to thump them by a colossal 203 runs. On being asked about their approach heading into the match, Dravid said, “The boys were aware that it’s a big game considering the public’s interest, but we didn’t look at it differently from any other match.”

“I don’t think we played our number one game in the final, but playing such a high-pressure final in such a big tournament is another experience. Then coming to Mumbai and seeing excitement, noise and so many people around them, that is another kind of experience.”

The real winner in 2012?

Once again, refusing to take any limelight for himself, he gave all the credit for India’s success at the to the players. “I know the impact a coach can have on the team, but the real credit goes to the players. They are the ones who stand up in such pressure games, they are the ones who stood up & showed maturity. They are the ones who made sacrifices. Credit is entirely their’s,” he said.

Among all the points made, the former India captain made a brilliant, realistic observation when he said that only one player (Sandeep Sharma) made it to the national side from India’s triumphant squad in the 2012 Under-19 World Cup. Compared to that, India’s opponents in the final of that tournament, Australia, saw five-six boys taking the leap to the senior side. “So who really was the winner in the end?” asked Dravid.

No pain of not winning a WC in his career

Moreover, since the victory was being seen as Dravid finally getting his hands on a World Cup which he couldn’t during his cricket career, the 45-year-old made it clear that he didn’t feel pain anymore for failing to lift the ICC World Cup as a player.

“I don’t really feel any pain about that anymore. I’m just happy for the Under-19 boys for their achievement,” he said. “The real satisfaction was in the process. Planning and developing of U-19 players was in place. I am really happy because of these fifteen boys winning the World Cup. The way they have played and executed in pressure, these kinds of things give you happiness,” as reported by DNA.

Captain Shaw’s experience

Meanwhile, skipper Prithvi Shaw highlighted the importance of the rich experience the youngsters gained in their dominant outing in New Zealand. He also mentioned his personal experience in the first-class season wherein he brought up five centuries. “It is all about the experience. Obviously, when you go to a higher level, you get good experience from your senior players. You get many things from them. Things which help you in your game. Scoring runs in Ranji Trophy or Under-19 matches helped me a lot, it really mattered,” said the 18-year-old.

Newly-crowned India was given a welcome on their arrival at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai on Monday. The Indian team was received at the airport by senior officials of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA). They came out of the airport at around 3.30 PM local time. Besides MCA officials, a significant number of fans also assembled at the airport to welcome the young heroes.