'Yes it's disappointing': Rahul Dravid opens up on Team India's gut-wrenching World Cup final loss

A month has passed since the painful World Cup final loss that numbed the entire nation, and now as it happens, the normalcy has picked up pace. In the last 30 odd days, Team India has played two T20I series and an ODI affair, moreover, the developments from the IPL have also kept the cricket world hooked. The mention of the WC final loss may still refresh the stains, but it would likely be less intensifying for the members of the team, as head coach Rahul Dravid has made it known that they "have moved on from it."

3 things you need to know

• Rahul Dravid opens up on the World Cup final loss
• Dravid admits the team is disappointed but have moved on from the loss
• Rahul Dravid's tenure as Team India head coach has been extended

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Rahul Dravid on the World Cup final loss

Ahead of the start of the Test series against South Africa, Team India head coach, Rahul Dravid, has addressed the subject of the World Cup final loss. Dravid stressed the importance of flushing out the disappointments of the past to look forward to the promising future.

According to Dravid, a cricketer learns to embrace the process of recovering from tough losses and starting from scratch again, during his/her formative years.

"It's happened in the past, yes it's disappointing, but we have moved on from it. Now you have got something ahead of you. Players are good at that (moving on). We are forced to do that, we learn how to do that from the time we are kids. Every time you get out, you are disappointed, you have another innings to play, you have to perform in the next innings, so you can't let the disappointment of the past stay with you. As cricketers, you learn how to deal with that, from the time you are kids. If you let the disappointment in the past stay with you, it will affect you in the next game," Dravid told the press on Sunday.

Dravid reiterated that the feeling of dismay had taken a spot, but have to keep going forward and look for future endeavors.

"Yes, the guys are disappointed, we were all disappointed. But we have all moved on from it now and we are looking forward to something that is ahead of us," he added.

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Raul Dravid claims players are all-motivated

Following a draining World Cup 2023 campaign, players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah, were given a rest from the immediate white-ball commitment that was scheduled, however, much to the delight of the fans, these prominent players are back for the Test series against South Africa, and according to Dravid they are all motivated and ready to impact the game.

"I don't think you need to motivate players to play for India. I don't think any of our players are lacking in motivation. Coming to play in South Africa, representing your country, playing Test cricket here with an opportunity to play some very good cricket, I don't think anyone is lacking in motivation. I did not have to motivate anyone.

Dravid highlighted his way of doing things, and how to get the best out of the team.

"I don't believe in motivating my players, I believe in creating the right environment, ensuring the right processes, ensure we practice well, tick all the boxes physically, mentally and tactically. That's really my job as a coach; giving the players the best chance to succeed. There are really some motivated guys out there in the team," he added.

The India vs South Africa 1st Test is scheduled to start from December 26, 2023.