Rajasthan Royals have appointed former India batting coach Vikram Rathour as their new batting coach, reuniting him with Rahul Dravid at the franchise. Rathour, a former India opener and selector, played a key role in India’s Men’s T20 World Cup victory in June this year.
Rathour’s appointment marks a significant move for the Royals, who are looking to strengthen their batting lineup. During his tenure as India’s batting coach from 2019 to 2024, Rathour played a pivotal role in the development of several young batters, including Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and KL Rahul.
“It’s a privilege to be part of the Royals family,” said Rathour. “The opportunity to work again with Rahul, and now with a talented group of young cricketers, is hugely exciting. I look forward to contributing to the team’s vision and working toward our goal of developing top-class players for the Royals and for India.”
Dravid, the Royals’ head coach, expressed his delight at Rathour’s appointment. “Having worked closely with Vikram for many years, I can confidently say that his technical expertise, calm demeanor, and deep understanding of Indian conditions make him a perfect fit for the Royals,” said Dravid. “Together, we’ve built a strong rapport, guiding India to key successes, and I’m thrilled to reunite with him.”
Rathour’s appointment is expected to bolster the Royals’ batting unit, which has struggled for consistency in recent seasons. The franchise will be hoping that Rathour’s experience and expertise can help them develop a more formidable batting lineup and challenge for the IPL title.