Rahul Dravid, the legendary Indian cricketer and coach, has been appointed as the new head coach of Rajasthan Royals (RR) for a multi-year term. This marks Dravid’s return to the IPL after a three-year hiatus, during which he served as the head coach of the Indian men’s team and guided them to their first ICC title in 11 years.
Dravid expressed his excitement about joining RR, a franchise he has a long-standing connection with. He captained the team in 2012 and 2013, and served as their team mentor in 2014 and 2015. “I am pleased to be returning to the franchise I have called ‘home’ for a number of years in the past,” Dravid said. “After the World Cup, I feel it’s the ideal time for me to take on another challenge, and the Royals is the perfect place to do that.”
Dravid’s appointment is a significant boost for RR, who have not won the IPL title since the inaugural season in 2008. Their best finish since then was in 2022, when they finished runners-up to Gujarat Titans. RR CEO Jake Lush McCrum expressed his delight at Dravid’s return to the franchise. “His exceptional coaching capabilities are evident with the transformation he’s driven in Indian cricket,” McCrum said. “He also has a deep connection to the franchise, and we’ve seen that passion come through in all our conversations.”
Dravid will work closely with RR’s director of cricket, Kumar Sangakkara, to implement the franchise’s overall cricketing strategy. He will also play a key role in player retention and recruitment ahead of the upcoming mega auction. Dravid’s long-standing working relationship with RR captain Sanju Samson, who came through the under-19 ranks under Dravid’s watch, is expected to be a major asset for the team.
With Dravid at the helm, RR will be hoping to challenge for their second IPL title. His experience, tactical acumen, and ability to inspire players will be invaluable to the team as they look to build a strong and successful squad.
