The legendary cricketer declines a broader role offered by the franchise, ending a long and influential association with the Royals.
New Delhi, August 30 – In a major shake-up ahead of IPL 2026, cricket legend Rahul Dravid has stepped down as the head coach of Rajasthan Royals (RR). The franchise confirmed the development on Saturday, noting that while Dravid was offered a broader position within the set-up after a structural review, he chose not to continue.
Dravid’s exit comes despite being in the middle of a multi-year contract. His decision follows a disastrous IPL 2025 campaign for RR, where the team finished ninth on the table with just four wins in 14 matches—their poorest performance since 2021.
“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,” the team said in a heartfelt statement.
Despite his efforts in shaping the auction strategy and player retention, which saw RR backing stars like Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, and Shimron Hetmyer, the season failed to click. Injuries to key players and repeated failures in crunch moments derailed their campaign.
This marks the end of a storied journey between Dravid and Rajasthan Royals. He first joined the team in 2011 as a player, captained them in 2012 and 2013, and later served as team director and mentor in 2014–15. Known for his calm leadership, Dravid played a crucial role in shaping RR’s philosophy of nurturing young Indian talent.
With his departure, Rajasthan Royals become the second IPL franchise currently without a head coach. Just last month, Chandrakant Pandit parted ways with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) despite leading them to the 2024 title. Meanwhile, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are also overhauling their backroom staff, appointing B. Arun as bowling consultant.
For now, RR’s cricket operations will continue under Kumar Sangakkara (Director of Cricket), with Vikram Rathour as batting coach and Shane Bond heading the bowling department.
The Royals, who lifted the inaugural IPL trophy in 2008, have struggled to find consistency over the years. Their best recent run came in 2022, when they reached the finals but fell short against Gujarat Titans.
As Rajasthan Royals prepare for another rebuild, fans will remember Dravid not only as a coach but as the man who deeply influenced the team’s values and identity.