Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Saturday confirmed the departure of Rahul Dravid as head coach, bringing his tenure to an end after just one season.
The move comes on the back of a structural review following the franchise’s disappointing ninth-place finish in IPL 2025 — their worst season since 2021, with only four wins in 14 matches.
In its statement, RR revealed that Dravid had been offered a broader role within the franchise, but the former India coach opted not to take it.
“Rahul has been central to the Royals’ journey for many years. His leadership has influenced a generation of players, instilled strong values within the squad, and left an indelible mark on the culture of the franchise,” the Royals said in a statement, while thanking him for his “remarkable service.”
Key Factors Behind Exit
- Poor Season: RR’s IPL 2025 campaign was marred by injuries to key players and a failure to close out tight finishes.
- Structural Overhaul: The Royals are in the middle of a setup-wide review, during which Dravid’s multi-year contract was reassessed.
- Player Exodus: Earlier this month, captain Sanju Samson also requested a release, signaling wider changes.
Dravid’s Royals Legacy
- Joined RR as a player in 2011, captained in 2012 & 2013.
- Served as team director/mentor in 2014-15.
- Returned as head coach in 2025, shaping the team’s auction strategy and retentions (Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer).
Wider IPL Coaching Shuffle
Dravid’s departure leaves two franchises without head coaches ahead of IPL 2026:
- Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR): Recently parted ways with Chandrakant Pandit, despite their IPL 2024 title win.
- Lucknow Super Giants (LSG): Undergoing a staff reshuffle, with B. Arun joining as bowling consultant.
Rajasthan Royals’ coaching structure currently features Kumar Sangakkara (Director of Cricket), Vikram Rathour (Batting Coach), and Shane Bond (Bowling Coach). The team last lifted the IPL trophy in 2008 and finished runners-up in 2022.
