Rajasthan Royals confirm Rahul Dravid’s appointment as new coach ahead of IPL 2025 season

Former Indian coach Rahul Dravid has been announced as the new coach of Rajasthan Royals. The 51-year-old will replace Kumara Sangakkara ahead of the new season of the Indian Premier League. 

Rahul Dravid was the helm of affairs when India won the T20 World Cup title in 2024 beating South Africa in the finals. Sanju Samson-led Rajasthan Royals have been a constant in the playoff places. 

Rahul Dravid, India's legendary World Cup-winning coach, is set for a sensational return to Rajasthan Royals! 🇮🇳🤝

The cricket icon was captured receiving his Pink jersey from the Royals Sports Group CEO Jake Lush McCrum. It is believed that the RR Admin was present too,… pic.twitter.com/C6Q8KRDFgW

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) September 6, 2024

The former Indian skipper was welcomed by the CEO of the Royals sporting group Jake Lush McCrum. The veteran former Indian legend said “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”,

Can Rahul Dravid lead Rajasthan Royals to IPL Glory?

Rajasthan Royals haven’t won the IPL since the inaugural edition in 2008. It was under the late great Shane Warne that the Royals beat Chennai in the final. Rahul Dravid moved to the Jaipur-based franchise in 2011 after three years with Bengaluru. 

For the next three years, Rahul Dravid played and captained the Royals. Once his retirement from cricket in 2013, the former Indian star assumed the role of the coach for the next two seasons. 

Post his stint in the IPL, Rahul Dravid left to manage the National Cricket Academy. This was followed by a stint with the Indian Under-19 side and also the Indian national side. During the Rahul Dravid tenure, Team India reached three ICC finals and won once. 

Rajasthan Royals finished as the runners-up during the IPL 2022 campaign losing to Gujarat Titans in the finals. This year they reached the playoffs but lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2nd Qualifier. 

The appointment comes months before the IPL 2025 Mega Auctions are set to be held. It is expected that there will be lots of changes in the team. Sanju Samson and Rahul Dravid will have to sit across the table and decide on the retentions and releases ahead of the new season. With Rahul Dravid now confirmed as the coach there is a huge hope that the team can bring home their 2nd IPL title.