MUMBAI: Former India head coach Rahul Dravid has revealed that India’s Test series defeat in South Africa in 2021/22 is the lowest point of his tenure.
In the 2021/22 series, led by Virat Kohli, the Men in Blue had a great opportunity to secure their first ever series win against the Proteas on South African soil. After an emphatic 113-run victory in Centurion in the first Test, India were expected to dominate the series.
However, with two seven-wicket victories in the next two Tests, the Proteas staged a remarkable comeback and secured an impressive triumph despite India’s dominance at various points during both matches.
“If you ask me what the lowest point is, I’d say the South Africa Test series at the start of my career. We won the first Test match in South Africa in Centurion and then played in the second and third Tests.” We have never won in South Africa as you know, it was a really big opportunity for us to win that series,” he told Star Sports.
Dravid revealed that some senior players like Rohit Sharma have missed the series. Despite this, India held their own against the Proteas in both matches. However, the Proteas eventually restricted India to a low score when it mattered and chased down the targets comfortably.
“Rohit Sharma was injured and we didn’t have some senior players in this series. But we were very close and in both the Test matches – the second and third Test matches – in the third innings we had We could have put up a decent score and won the match but South Africa played well in the fourth inning so I’d say that was probably my lowest point in my coaching career to win that series even though we’re ahead,” he added.
Remember, Dravid ended his tenure as head coach by winning the ICC T20 World Cup trophy after a thrilling win over South Africa this June in Barbados on 29 June.
The men in blue under him finished runners-up at their home Under-50 World Cup last year after a dominant 10-game winning streak when they lost to Australia. They also finished as runners-up in the ICC World Test Championship to Australia last year. India also won the 50-over Asia Cup last year.
