Rahul Dravid addresses the media upon his return to India after a triumphant ICC Under-19 World Cup campaign in New Zealand.
India Under-19 cricket team head coach Rahul Dravid lauded the players for handling pressure well in the final match of the World Cup against Australia, which India won by eight wickets.
"I am really happy because of these 15 boys winning the World Cup," Dravid said while addressing a press conference in Mumbai on Monday. "The way they have (Indian team) played and executed in pressure, these kinds of things give you happiness," he added.
Asked whether there was any curfew imposed on the youngsters during the tournament in New Zealand, Dravid brought out a side to him that is rarely seen.
"You've got to ask them, I don't think they're listening to me too much," he said bursting into a laugh. "We had some loose curfews. Sometimes the boys would follow it, sometimes they'd just skinch a bit. Which is fine, they're teenagers. I've been a teenager myself."
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Humbled with the praises he has been getting from all quarters, the former batting stalwart said, "I know the impact a coach can have on the team, but the real credit goes to the players. They are the ones who stand up in such pressure games, credit is entirely theirs," Dravid added.
The 45-year-old said that he didn't feel pain anymore for failing to lift the ICC World Cup as a player. "I don't really feel any pain about that any more. I'm just happy for the Under-19 boys for their achievement," he said. "The real satisfaction was in the process. Planning and developing of U-19 players was in place. I am really happy because of these fifteen boys winning the World Cup. The way they have played and executed in pressure, these kinds of things give you happiness."
India thrashed Australia by eight wickets to lift their record fourth U-19 World Cup, at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand, on Saturday. The India colts became the first team to win the title four times as earlier they were tied with Australia with three titles each. The junior Men in Blue had also remained unbeaten in the tournament.
(Inputs from ANI)
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