Rahul Dravid unveiled as Rajasthan Royals head coach

Dravid’s appointment marks his return to the IPL for the first time since 2019, when he became the head of the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. In 2021, he was appointed head coach of the India men’s team and ended his three-year stint with their first ICC title in 11 years.

RR said in a statement that Dravid will “commence with the team immediately, working with Royals’ director of cricket Kumar Sangakkara to implement the franchise’s overall cricketing strategy.”

RR have not won the IPL title since the inaugural season in 2008; their next best finish was in 2022 when they came runners-up to Gujarat Titans. They failed to make the playoffs in 2023, finishing fifth in the league despite a terrific start to the season, but did so in 2024 and were knocked out in Qualifier 2.

“We are delighted to be bringing Rahul back to the franchise,” RR CEO Jake Lush McCrum said. “His exceptional coaching capabilities are evident with the transformation he’s driven in Indian cricket. He also has a deep connection to the franchise, and we’ve seen that passion come through in all our conversations. Rahul has already got to work with Kumar (Sangakkara) and the rest of the team, as we prepare for this exciting new period for the franchise starting with IPL retention and the auction just around the corner.”