Rahul Dravid Poised to Join Rajasthan Royals as Head Coach Ahead of IPL 2025

Rahul Dravid is reportedly set to take on the role of head coach for Rajasthan Royals (RR) ahead of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. This move comes on the heels of Dravid’s successful tenure as head coach of the Indian national team, which culminated in India’s victory at the T20 World Cup last month.

Dravid’s departure from the national team was marked by a memorable victory, ending India’s 17-year wait for a T20 World Cup title under the leadership of Rohit Sharma. The triumph not only bolstered Dravid’s coaching credentials but also sparked widespread interest in his next professional endeavour. 

Initially, there were speculations about Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) making a bid for the former Indian captain. However, according to a report by the Times of India, Dravid’s appointment as head coach of Rajasthan Royals is imminent, with an official announcement expected soon.

“Talks are going on between RR and Dravid, an announcement in his regard is round the corner,” a source told TOI, confirming the ongoing negotiations.

Dravid has a deep connection with Rajasthan Royals. He joined the franchise in 2011 as a player and served as captain for three seasons before retiring. In 2014 and 2015, he took on the role of mentor, contributing significantly to the team’s development and strategy. His return to the Royals is seen as a homecoming, reuniting with a team he helped shape during its formative years.

In a light-hearted moment following India’s T20 World Cup win, Dravid quipped about his future, saying he was “unemployed” and open to offers. This comment now seems prophetic, as he prepares to embark on this new chapter with Rajasthan Royals. At 51, Dravid’s wealth of experience and calm demeanour are expected to bring stability to the team.

Rajasthan Royals, the inaugural champions of the IPL in 2008, are currently without a head coach. The team’s cricketing operations have been overseen by Kumar Sangakkara, who has been the Director of Cricket since 2021, with Shane Bond and Trevor Penny serving as assistant coaches. The dynamics of Sangakkara’s role in light of Dravid’s potential appointment remain to be clarified.

This past IPL season was a rollercoaster for the Royals. They had a promising start, winning eight of their first nine matches under the captaincy of Sanju Samson, and appeared poised for a deep playoff run. However, a dramatic loss of form saw them win just one of their last seven league games, finishing third on the points table. Their journey ended in the playoffs, where they defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Eliminator but succumbed to Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 2.

The potential addition of Dravid to the Royals’ coaching staff is expected to be a significant boost. His strategic insights and leadership experience could be pivotal in turning the team’s fortunes around and guiding them to another title.

As fans eagerly await the official announcement, the prospect of Rahul Dravid rejoining Rajasthan Royals has already generated significant excitement and anticipation for the upcoming IPL season.