Redemption begins when you just make a change in your life whereby you attempt to make things right, versus what you were doing wrong. It creates a sense of purpose which drives you against all odds towards redirection and hope of a respectful and profitable outcome.
As the Men in Blue seek out to claim their third ODI World Cup title on Sunday, most of the players in the squad have claimed many personal redemptions on the road to the final. Be it right from the Indian skipper Rohit Sharma’s setback of not making the cut to the 2011 triumphant squad to Sheryas Iyer whose sudden spike in middle order batting form during his maiden World Cup campaign was absent during the 2019 edition due to an injury.
The list goes on from personal milestones to records being broken from one match to the next. Indian fans have celebrated each of the Playing XI’s accomplishments in their unstoppable quest for world domination. However, if there’s anyone who needs redeeming the most from his ghastful past is the Indian coach Rahul Dravid who could have his ‘Chak De India-esque’ redemption song opportunity.
Every 80s and 90s Indian cricket fans’ wishful want in 2011 was for the Men in Blue to clinch the title for Tendulkar at Wankhede. This edition has most Indian millennials craving a similar sense of nostalgia for their ‘Indranagar ka Gunda.’
As captain, Jammy as fondly remembered by them, oversaw some of Indian cricket's finest moments during his two-year tenure. A first Test series victory in the Caribbean islands in 35 years and a similar feat in England after a 26-year gap are series which bring memorable moments to cherish. Despite the fine accomplishments, this tenure is blotted with the first-round elimination in the 2007 World Cup and the loss to then-minnows Bangladesh which remains hard scrub off the minds of every Bleed Blue maniac.
“Growing up Dravid was ever the unsung hero of Indian cricket, quietly going about his work and always getting the job done. It’s no different now with him as the coach of this Indian team. The scars from the 2007 defeat are still fresh for many of us and I really hope we win this one for him like we did for Sachin back in 2011,” said Paritosh Pai who is an assistant manager for an auditing company in Pune.
The former U-19 coach had an organic transition to the senior side following the 2018 triumph with the next generation stars. However, the 52-year-old is yet to quench his thirst for glory despite being on the edge at global events, where an embarrassing semi-final exit from the shorter format of the game in Adelaide last November and defeat to Australia in the final of the World Test Championship in June raised questions about his prowess due to his stoic demeanour on and off the field.
“After two decades, India face Australia in the World Cup final. Coach Rahul Dravid has been a player in the 2003 finals and captain of the 2007 early exit. He surely is hungry for redemption from the sidelines. Having led India to the Under-19 World Cup victory in 2018, I'm sure he's eager to achieve a triumphant closure with the senior side by lifting the trophy on Sunday,” said Adhip Jayraj who runs a local business in the capital city.
The Men in Blue carry their unbeaten form and momentum into the Final and playing as hosts makes the double-edged sword sharper. The World Cup is Dravid's final assignment as his two-year term draws to a close. His legacy as head coach may end up in similar fashion to his tainted captaincy throwback but surely his boys won’t go out without a fitting bout this time.
