As India marched around The Gabba, clapped and cheered on, holding the national flag high with Rishabh Pant still padded, with captain Ajinkya Rahane still in command, with Shubman Gill, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur and T Natarajan taking turns to fly the tricolour, fans rewinded back to 2015 when Rahul Dravid was appointed as the head coach of the India A and U19 teams. Dravid, of course, wasn’t here at the Gabba but most of these boys, who fought back adversaries to triumph Australia in their own yard, were his wards. Players he had nurtured, trusted and taken under his wings during his stint with the national junior teams. Twitterati Want Ajinkya Rahane to Replace Virat Kohli As Indian Test Team Captain Permanently After Series Win Against Australia (See Reactions).

Dravid, after being appointed to the post, initiated and developed several programmes and encouraged the Indian cricket board to organise more first-class tours for the junior teams. India A have played 52 first-class matches in the last decade, the most by any teams. Among those players in the current India side, Mohammed Siraj played 15 India A matches before making his debut. Navdeep Saini 14, Hanuma Vihari 12, Mayank Agarwal 10, Shubman Gill 8, Prithvi Shaw 5 and Rishabh Pant 4. Most of those came under Dravid’s tenure before he was appointed the NCA head last year. Rishabh Pant Leads Team India's Victory March With National Flag At The Gabba Following Test Series Win Over Australia (Watch Video).

Fans did not forget to thank the great man for his continuous contribution to Indian cricket despite retiring from the game in 2012. The likes of Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Washington Sundar and Prithvi Shaw also played under Dravid during their India U19 days. Dravid played a great role in developing the cricket of these youngsters. Here is how Twitter remembered and thanked Rahul Dravid post India's historic series win.

Rahul Dravid is the Man Behind the Rise of All These Players

A Silent Guardian...

Rahul Dravid - the Real Man of the Series

Quiet Thanks to Rahul Dravid

Shades of the Wall in These Players

Because He is a Watchful Protector

Dravid’s contribution to this Indian side was, however, not only limited to the younger players who played under his tutelage in the India A and India U19 teams. Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara have often spoken the influence Dravid had on their career. Pujara has moulded his game in Dravid’s shadow and is called the modern wall of Indian cricket.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 19, 2021 03:59 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).