Rahul Dravid reveals dressing room emotions after India's crushing defeat to Australia in World Cup final

Rahul Dravid has now overseen defeats as India's head coach in the ODI World Cup final as well as the World Test Championships final also to Australia in June.

India's undefeated run at the 2023 ODI World Cup ended on Sunday after they lost to Australia in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

It was the Men in Blue's first defeat of the tournament and one which saw many players display raw emotions with the likes of skipper Rohit Sharma and paceman Mohammed Siraj weeping post the defeat.

Head coach Rahul Dravid, who addressed the media after the loss on Sunday, said that the players were emotional after the defeat and it was hard for him to see them in such a state after the match.

"There were a lot of emotions in that dressing room. It was tough to see as a coach, because I know how hard these guys have worked, what they've put in and the sacrifices they've made," the 50-year-old said on Sunday.

Despite the loss, though, Dravid felt that sport showed both spectrums of life and as athletes, one had to accept that and move on to bigger things.

"There is hurt and sadness, but the sun will come up tomorrow. This is what sport teaches you. You experience great highs and crushing lows and must be prepared to accept both," he added.

The 50-year-old, who took over as the head coach of the men's team in November 2021, has now overseen defeats for India in the ODI World Cup final as well as the World Test Championships final also to Australia in June.

Dravid's contract as the coach of the side was until this tournament and he remained non-committal about his future, when he was asked on Sunday.

Also read: We stand with you today and always: PM Modi after Indian cricket team's World Cup loss