Rahul Dravid quits as Rajasthan Royals’ head coach ahead of IPL 2026
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New Delhi: Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Saturday announced that head coach Rahul Dravid has stepped down from his role with the franchise ahead of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season.
Dravid, who was formally appointed as RR’s head coach on a multi-year contract in September last year, had returned to the franchise after completing his three-year stint as India’s head coach with the Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 triumph.
In a statement, the Royals said that as part of a recent structural review, the franchise had offered Dravid a broader role. However, the former India captain chose not to take up the position.
“Rahul has been central to the Royals’ journey over many years. His leadership has influenced a generation of players, built strong values within the squad, and left an indelible mark on the culture of the franchise. The Rajasthan Royals, its players, and millions of fans worldwide extend heartfelt thanks to Rahul for his remarkable service to the franchise,” the statement read.
Dravid’s association with RR has been a longstanding one. He captained the side in the 2012 and 2013 editions, served as team mentor in 2014 and 2015, and rejoined as head coach ahead of IPL 2025, a move that had raised hopes of RR lifting their second IPL title since their inaugural triumph in 2008.
However, the team endured a disappointing 2025 campaign, finishing ninth with only four wins in 14 league matches. Regular skipper Sanju Samson was restricted to just nine games due to a side strain, with Riyan Parag filling in as stand-in captain during his absence.
Dravid’s return to the Royals ultimately lasted less than a year. IANS understands his exit comes against the backdrop of murmurs of differences and unrest within the camp during IPL 2025.
Attention will now turn to Dravid’s next role in the cricketing ecosystem, while the Royals face their own uncertainties. Questions remain over the future of skipper Sanju Samson, particularly after multiple reports in July suggested he was considering either entering the auction pool or seeking a trade to another franchise.
With IANS inputs
