Batting legend Rahul Dravid is poised to make a significant return to coaching, with reports confirming his new role as the head coach of the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Dravid, who previously captained the Royals in 2012 and 2013 and served as their mentor from 2014 to 2015, is set to reunite with the franchise that holds a special place in his career.
Dravid, who concluded his tenure as the head coach of the Indian cricket team with a T20 World Cup title in 2024, has reportedly signed a contract with the Royals. This move follows a successful stint with Team India, where he guided the squad to the finals of the 2023 World Test Championship and ODI World Cup, and finally ended India’s ICC title drought with the T20 World Cup victory in Barbados earlier this year. After taking a brief break, Dravid was spotted enjoying the Paris Olympics.
According to ESPNCricinfo, Dravid has already begun discussions about the upcoming IPL season, including player retention strategies for the 2025 auction. There is speculation that he might collaborate with Vikram Rathour, the current Indian batting coach, as part of his coaching staff.
Sanju Samson Reunion
Dravid’s appointment marks the end of Kumar Sangakkara’s tenure as head coach. Sangakkara will continue his association with the franchise, focusing on their other teams in different leagues, including Paarl Royals in the SA20 and Barbados Royals in the CPL. Under Sangakkara’s guidance, the Royals qualified for the playoffs twice in the last three seasons but have not clinched the IPL title since their inaugural win in 2008. They came close in 2022, only to lose the final to Gujarat Titans.
Dravid will be reuniting with Sanju Samson, who is expected to be retained as captain for another season. Samson, who first flourished under Dravid’s mentorship, will look to build on their successful past partnership in the quest to end the Royals’ title drought.
Stay Updated
For the latest cricket scores, player updates, match schedules, and ICC rankings, stay tuned to Crickit, powered by Hindustan Times. Follow the stellar performances of cricket stars like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli and keep an eye on your favorite teams and players.
Leave a Reply