Rahul Dravid Joins Rajasthan Royals As Head Coach Ahead Of IPL 2025

Batting legend Rahul Dravid has been appointed as the new head coach of the Rajasthan Royals, following his successful tenure with the Indian national team, which he led to victory in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

Dravid, whose contract as India’s head coach ended after the World Cup, returns to Rajasthan Royals—a franchise he represented both as a player and coach from 2011 to 2015.

Dravid expressed excitement about the new challenge, stating, “After the World Cup, I feel it’s the ideal time for me to take on another challenge, and the Royals is the perfect place to do that.”

In a statement on Friday, Rajasthan Royals announced that Dravid will begin working immediately alongside Royals’ Director of Cricket, Kumar Sangakkara, to implement the team’s cricketing strategy.

Jake Lush McCrum, CEO of the Royals Sports Group, is optimistic about Dravid’s impact, noting his “exceptional coaching capabilities” and his deep-rooted connection to the franchise.

“We have made fantastic progress in our on-field performance over the past few years, but there is still lots to learn, improve, and grow,” said Royals owner Manoj Badale. “His return will, hopefully, further accelerate our progress and be a great boost for everyone involved, most importantly our players and our fans.”

Sangakkara welcomed Dravid’s appointment, calling him “one of the greatest players” and praising his ability to nurture talent while delivering consistent results at the highest level.

With IPL retention and the auction approaching, Dravid’s return comes at a crucial time for the Royals, who are eager to challenge for the title once again.