Sangakkara, who previously served as head coach from 2021 to 2024, before making way for former India head coach Rahul Dravid in the 18th edition.
Photo: IANS
After a lacklustre ninth-place finish in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, Rajasthan Royals pressed the reset button by turning to Kumar Sangakkara to revive their fortunes, with the former Sri Lanka skipper set to perform the dual role of head coach and director of cricket in the next season, with Vikram Rathour, batting coach last season, promoted to lead assistant coach.
Sangakkara, who previously served as head coach from 2021 to 2024, before making way for former India head coach Rahul Dravid in the 18th edition. However, following the team’s forgettable show in the 2025 edition, Dravid parted ways with the franchise, prompting the change in guard ahead of IPL 2026.
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During Sangakkara’s previous stint as head coach, RR reached the IPL 2022 final and made the playoffs in 2024, “a period that marked a clear rise in the team’s performance and consistency,” according to a statement from RR.
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“We are delighted to have Kumar return as head coach,” Manoj Badale, the franchise’s lead owner, said. “As we looked at what the team needed at this stage, we felt that his familiarity within the squad, his leadership, and his deep understanding of the Royals culture would bring the right balance of continuity and stability.
“Kumar has always had our complete trust as a leader. His clarity, calmness and cricketing intelligence will play an important role in guiding the squad into this next phase.”
Along with Rathour’s promotion, the franchise also announced that former New Zealand quick Shane Bond would continue as the bowling coach, while Trevor Penney and Sid Lahiri will remain assistant coach and performance coach, respectively.
“I’m honoured to return as head coach and continue working with this talented group,” Sangakkara said. “I’m also pleased to have a strong coaching team alongside me. Vikram, Trevor, Shane and Sid each bring valuable experience in their areas, and together we are focused on preparing the players in the best possible way.”
“We have a clear understanding of where we want to go as a group, and our aim is to build a team that plays with clarity, resilience, and purpose,” he added.
Sanga as well as the team management group will, however, have a new captain to work with after releasing Sanju Samson in a trade deal with Chennai Super Kings, where they acquired Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran, ahead of the next auction.
They have also released or traded out Nitish Rana, Akash Madhwal, Ashok Sharma, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Kumar Kartikeya, Kunal Singh Rathore, Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga. And, along with Jadeja and Curran, the Rajasthan Royals also traded in Donovan Ferreira from Delhi Capitals.
At the upcoming auction, they will have a purse of Rs 16.05 crore and have nine slots, including one overseas, to fill.
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