Since late 2021, Team India has had some surprising lows under Rahul Dravid’s management. While he cannot be blamed for all of the major losses, his term has elicited a mixed reaction thus far. Here are some of India’s major defeats during his tenure:
Team India’s startling LOWS in Rahul Dravid’s tenure
1) Awful SA tour
India’s first overseas tour under Dravid took place in December 2022, when they traveled to South Africa for three Tests and an equal number of ODIs. Despite a 1-0 lead in the Test series, they were defeated 1-2 and were thrashed in the ODIs. too
2) A Test defeat to England
When India traveled to the United Kingdom for the rescheduled fifth and final Test under Dravid in the summer of 2022, they had a chance to win their first-ever Test series in England. Despite a 132-run lead and an insurmountable 2-1 lead, India lost a golden opportunity to make it 3-1.
Jasprit Bumrah and company were defeated by 7 wickets in their defense of 374 at Edgbaston, Birmingham. This was the second jolt in Rahul Dravid’s coaching tenure.
3)The Asia Cup fiasco
Last year’s Asia Cup, a dress rehearsal for the T20 World Cup in Australia in October-November, was a disaster for Rohit Sharma’s India. Men in Blue started brightly, with two straight wins, but their campaign faltered in the Super Four. India was eliminated before the finals after losing two consecutive games to Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
India’s huge failure in the continental championship (held in the shortest format for only the second time overall) was blamed on Dravid-Rohit.
4) The failure of the T20 World Cup
During Dravid’s tenure, India suffered their next major defeat during the T20 World Cup in Australia. Rohit & Co. advanced to the semi-finals but were defeated by eventual winners England by 10 wickets in Sydney.
This was India’s first ICC event under Rahul Dravid’s management, and the one-time champions failed to impress.
5) ODI series defeat against Bangladesh
In December 2022, Rohit Dravid’s India lost a three-match ODI series to hosts Bangladesh. India lost the series with one game remaining but won the last ODI to avoid a whitewash.
The 50-over series defeat was India’s second against the Bangla Tigers and their second in a row in Bangladesh. The defeat became a major talking point as many questioned India’s performance under Dravid.
6) ODI series loss at home vs Australia
Despite a 1-0 lead, India surrendered the three-match One-Day International series to Australia earlier this year. The hosts were sluggish in the final ODI. India failed to chase 270 and was dismissed for 248 in Chennai.
7) WTC final defeat
During the WTC final, held in June at The Oval in London, Dravid had an opportunity to lead India to their first ICC title since 2013. When faced with the strong Aussies, Rohit-led India fell short by a convincing margin of 209 runs, adding another major defeat to the former Indian captain’s coaching career.
8) T20I series loss versus WI
India lost their inaugural five-match T20I series under Dravid on Sunday (August 13) in Florida to the two-time champion West Indies (who failed to qualify for last year’s T20 World Cup). After falling behind 0-2 in the series, Hardik Pandya-led team India did well to level the series but fell short by eight wickets in the last game.
It should be remembered that this was the West Indies’ first bilateral series (minimum of three matches) victory over India in 17 years. The Windies defeated Rahul Dravid’s India in a five-match ODI series (4-1) at home in 2006.
Thus, under Dravid, India has added another significant disappointment to their list. Many have pointed fingers at the icon, who is now hoping for India’s victory in the upcoming Asia Cup (in ODI format) and the home ODI World Cup in October-November.
Dravid’s contract expires following the 50-over showcase tournament.
