Rahul Dravid stopped Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly from playing the 2007 T20 World Cup: Lalchand Rajput

Lalchand Rajput, the former Indian coach, revealed how Rahul Dravid stopped the likes of Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar from playing the 2007 T20 World Cup in South Africa. In the same year, India were reeling somewhat after their first-round exit in the 50-overs World Cup in the West Indies. Dravid was the skipper and the Men in Blue were greeted with a lot of flak.

Rajput said how the senior players thought about giving chances to the young players. The T20 World Cup was also MS Dhoni’s first assignment at the highest level. Even as India had a relatively inexperienced side, they were able to hit the jackpot, being crowned as the champions.

Seniors wanted the young players to get opportunities: Lalchand Rajput

“Yes, it is true (Rahul Dravid stopping Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly from playing the 2007 T20 World Cup). Rahul Dravid was the captain in England and some players came directly from England to Johannesburg (for the T20 World Cup) so they said let’s give an opportunity to the youngsters,” Rajput was quoted as saying to Sportskeeda.

Rajput also stated the Sachin should have rued missing out as he wanted to lift the coveted trophy. “But after winning the World Cup they must have repented it because Sachin always kept on telling me that I am playing for so many years and I have still not won the World Cup,” he added.

In 2003, Sachin played the World Cup under Sourav Ganguly’s leadership. But India lost the final of the tournament to Australia and Sachin got out to Glenn McGrath. But in 2011, Sachin indeed lifted the World Cup, though he perished cheaply to Lasith Malinga when India were chasing 275. After the triumph, his teammates took a lap around the Wankhede, carrying him on their shoulders.

After India’s victory in the T20 World Cup, Dhoni took the team to greater heights. He became the Test and ODI captain as well going into the future. The triumph helped India recover from the blow in the 50-overs tournament in the Caribbean. As far as Ganguly and Dravid are concerned, they left behind a rich legacy courtesy their ability to succeed in most conditions.