Dravid’s departure, despite being on a multi-year contract, comes after a structural review following the team’s ninth-place finish at IPL 2025, their worst campaign since 2021, with just four wins in 14 matches.
File Photo: IANS
Rahul Dravid’s tenure as head coach of Rajasthan Royals (RR) has ended after just one season. The franchise announced on Saturday that while Dravid had been offered a broader role within the set-up, he chose not to accept it.
Dravid’s departure, despite being on a multi-year contract, comes after a structural review following the team’s ninth-place finish at IPL 2025, their worst campaign since 2021, with just four wins in 14 matches. Earlier this month, it also emerged that captain Sanju Samson, who has led the side since 2021, had asked to be released ahead of the next season.
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“Head coach Rahul Dravid will conclude his tenure with the franchise ahead of IPL 2026,” the Royals said in a statement. “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.”
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“As part of the franchise structural review, Rahul had been offered a broader position at the franchise, but has chosen not to take this. The Rajasthan Royals, its players, and millions of fans worldwide extend heartfelt thanks to Rahul for his remarkable service to the franchise,” it added.
Dravid played a key role in RR’s auction strategy and retention ahead of the new three-year cycle. The franchise had retained Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag and Shimron Hetmyer before a season that was derailed by injuries and narrow defeats.
Having first joined RR as a player in 2011, Dravid captained the team in 2012 and 2013, before serving as team director and mentor in 2014 and 2015. His exit leaves at least two franchises, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) being the other, without a head coach for IPL 2026.
KKR’s Chandrakant Pandit stepped down last month after guiding them to their first title in a decade in 2024. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) too are in the midst of a support-staff reshuffle, having recently appointed Bharat Arun as bowling consultant.
RR’s current set-up features Kumar Sangakkara as director of cricket, Vikram Rathour as batting coach and Shane Bond as bowling coach. The team has not won the IPL since their inaugural triumph in 2008, with their best recent finish coming in 2022, when they ended as runners-up to Gujarat Titans.
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