Reading comprehension – Under-19 Cricket World Cup passage: what did Rahul Dravid mean when he said the World Cup win should not be the team’s “defining memory”?

Introduction / Context:
In the passage, after India wins the Under-19 Cricket World Cup, Rahul Dravid addresses the young players. While they are celebrating, he reminds them that this victory should not be the defining memory of their lives. Instead, he emphasises that every individual cricketer has a long career ahead and many more goals to pursue. This question asks you to interpret the deeper meaning of his advice.

Given Data / Assumptions:

The passage notes that:
- Players are ecstatic and celebrating the World Cup win.
- Dravid, as coach, “cuts through the hype” and tells them this win should not be their defining memory.
- He explains that each cricketer has much more to achieve in his career.
- The passage later illustrates that only a few Under-19 stars in earlier batches reached the highest level, making Dravid's advice realistic and wise.

Concept / Approach:
The phrase “defining memory” suggests a single event that shapes a person's identity. Dravid is warning the players not to become satisfied with one early success. He wants them to stay grounded, continue working hard, and look at this trophy as a beginning, not an end. The correct option must capture this message of long-term growth and higher aspirations, rather than short-term rest or recruitment campaigns.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Re-read the section where Dravid's statement is mentioned and summarised. Step 2: Notice that immediately after the quote, the passage explains that each cricketer has much more to achieve in his career. Step 3: Connect “not defining memory” with “much more to achieve”, seeing the win as an early milestone rather than a final goal. Step 4: Select the option that best summarises this long-term, career-oriented perspective.

Verification / Alternative check:
Imagine how a mentor would speak to young champions: “This is wonderful, but do not stop here; there is a long career ahead.” Option a closely matches that tone and content. Options about rest or promoting cricket generally do not appear in the passage and do not fit with Dravid's specific message.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option b) misinterprets his words as only a call to rest, which is not the central idea in the text. The emphasis is on perspective, not on immediate physical recovery.
Option c) introduces a motive about encouraging more Indian children to take up cricket. While cricket may inspire many youth, this idea is not stated or implied in Dravid's comment as presented in the passage.
Option d) “None of these” is incorrect because option a accurately reflects the author's explanation of Dravid's point.

Common Pitfalls:
Students might over-simplify the phrase “not defining memory” and assume it simply means “forget this win”. In reality, Dravid is not asking them to ignore the achievement but to put it in perspective as one step on a longer journey. Understanding nuance is essential in such interpretive questions.

Final Answer:
He meant it is only the start of their careers and they should aim to achieve much more.