'If you can get that campaign removed, I will appreciate it' - Rahul Dravid as #DoItForDravid trends on social media

India head coach Rahul Dravid’s tenure, which has seen the Men in Blue make deep runs in ICC events, is set to conclude after the T20 World Cup 2024 finale against South Africa at the Kensington Oval, Barbados. Under Dravid, the Indians reached the semi-finals of the 2022 T20 World Cup, followed by three successive final appearances in the 2023 World Test Championship, 2023 ODI World Cup, and now the 2024 T20 World Cup.

India were denied of glory at all the ICC events under Dravid's guidance, and the netizens took over the internet by storm to lift the coveted silverware, and give a befitting tribute to the Indore-born for his exemplary and dedicated efforts in shaping the face of Indian cricket.

After India's semi-final win over England in Guyana, the Karnataka lad was informed about the #DoItForDravid campaign. True to his nature, he downplayed his presence in the grand scheme of things.

“It’s totally against who I am as a person, and it’s totally against my values. I don't really believe in this 'Do it for somebody'. I love that quote about somebody asking somebody else, 'Why do you want to climb Mount Everest?' and he says 'I want to climb Mount Everest because it's there. Why do we want to win this World Cup? Because it's there,” Dravid said in a video released by Star Sports in an interaction with Jatin Sapru.

“It's not for anyone, it's not for anybody, it's just there to win [World Cup]. I just want to play good cricket and, doing it for someone is totally against who I am as a person and what I believe in, so I don't want to talk about it and discuss it. If you can get that campaign removed, I will appreciate it,” Dravid concluded.

Watch the video here:

He turns it down in a classy manner: Ravichandran Ashwin

Veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has also come forward to express his agreement upon Dravid's disapproval of individual narratives. Ashwin praised the legend for rejecting narratives that focus on a single person in a team sport, emphasizing that such narratives are harmful to a team's dynamics. He lauded the head coach for handling it with class and encouraged the team to fight in the finals as a unit.

“Narratives of building it up for someone in a team sport is the worst thing that can happen for a healthy team environment. I know this man really well and despite being offered the narrative, he turns it down in a classy manner. Let's fight once more,” Ashwin quoted on X.

Also Read: Indian cricket has shown a lot of consistency, especially in the last year: Rahul Dravid

Team India will face South Africa in the final at the Kensington Oval in Barbados on Saturday, June 29. The BCCI has already begun the hunt for a new head coach, with former India player Gautam Gambhir rumoured to be the frontrunner for the role. Dravid's successor will be responsible for all three formats on a three-year contract.