Rajasthan Royals Sign Rahul Dravid as Head Coach for IPL 2025: What It Means for the Team

Rahul Dravid has been named the new head coach of Rajasthan Royals for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season.The announcement was made by the franchise on X (formerly known as Twitter), signaling Dravid’s return to the Royals.

Dravid’s Return to Rajasthan Royals

Rahul Dravid, who led India to a T20 World Cup win in July, is rejoining the Rajasthan Royals after a decade. Dravid previously captained RR in the IPL during the 2012 and 2013 seasons and later took on the roles of mentor and Director of Cricket in 2014 and 2015. After his time with the Royals, he transitioned to coach the Delhi Capitals before taking over as India’s U19 coach and eventually becoming the head coach of the Indian men’s senior team.

In his statement, Dravid expressed excitement about his return to the Royals, calling the franchise “home” after his long association with them. He remarked that following his World Cup success, it felt like the right moment to take on a new challenge, and the Royals offer the perfect platform for that.

Dravid’s Vision for Rajasthan Royals

Dravid has joined the Royals with immediate effect, preparing for the upcoming IPL season and the mega auction. He emphasized the significant progress the franchise has made in recent years, crediting the hard work of the management team, including RR’s owners Manoj Badale and Jake Lush McCrum, along with Kumar Sangakkara, Director of Cricket at Rajasthan Royals.

Dravid highlighted the franchise’s strong talent pool and resources, expressing his eagerness to help elevate the team to new heights. He also noted that he’s looking forward to working with Sangakkara and the rest of the staff in preparation for IPL 2025.

Kumar Sangakkara’s Role and Future at RR

There had been speculation that former RR coach and Director of Cricket Kumar Sangakkara was in talks to join Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as a mentor, potentially replacing Gautam Gambhir. However, the Royals’ announcement of Dravid’s appointment made it clear that Sangakkara will stay with the franchise.

RR CEO Jake Lush McCrum confirmed that Dravid and Sangakkara have already begun collaborating to prepare the team for the 2025 IPL season, including player retention and the upcoming auction.

With Dravid at the helm and Sangakkara continuing his involvement, the Rajasthan Royals are set for a promising future as they look to challenge for the IPL title in 2025.