'We faced challenges both on and off the field' - Rahul Dravid after India's series win against England

Following India's resounding 4-1 triumph over Ben Stokes-led England in the recent 5-match Test series, head coach Rahul Dravid delivered an inspiring address. India clinched the series with a 5-wicket victory in the Ranchi Test, securing an insurmountable 3-1 lead. Dravid, at the helm since Ravi Shastri's departure in 2021, commended his players for their resilience in crucial moments. He praised their ability to rise to the occasion, highlighting their determination and team spirit.

India's young cricketers admirably filled the void left by stars Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Mohammed Shami, steering the team to a commanding 4-1 victory over England in the Test series. Dravid showered praise on the team for their mettle during crucial junctures. Kohli opted out of the five-match series to attend the birth of his second child, while Shami was sidelined due to surgery. India sealed the series with a resounding innings and 64-run win in the final Test, wrapping up proceedings in just three days.

“Firstly, a huge congratulation to every one of you, the team, the players, the support staff for a fantastic series. I think there were times in the series that we were really challenged, we were pushed, and we really found a way to bounce back, to come back. It just speaks to the skills that we have, the resilience that we have, the character that we have.

Many occasions in this series where the games could have gone either way, but we always found people in this dressing room who stepped up and turned the game our way. I think that was fantastic. So you not only need to win the games when you have to fight back, and you have to bounce back, which we did really well, but you have to also win the games when you're ahead, and you don't let the opposition come back in any situation,” the Indore-born said in a video uploaded by BCCI.

“And I think we've come through that exceptionally with terrific flying colours. We faced challenges both on and off the field, but the way we stuck together as a group, I think has been absolutely phenomenal. For a lot of you young guys, especially coming into this group, you are going to need each other to succeed,” the head coach added.

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India’s enviable home dominance in red-ball

India's stronghold in Test cricket at home has stretched beyond 11 years without a series defeat, eclipsing the records of other cricketing giants. During this period, while Australia suffered three home series losses, England and New Zealand succumbed to two each, and South Africa endured four defeats. Notably, India's dominance extends beyond series wins; they haven't settled for a drawn series in this timeframe. With just four home Test losses since 2012 series loss against The Three Lions, India boasts a remarkable win-loss ratio of 12-nil, dwarfing even Australia's impressive record.