Rahul Dravid Set to Become Rajasthan Royals’ Head Coach for IPL 2025

Rahul Dravid, the architect behind India’s 2024 T20 World Cup victory, is poised to become the head coach of Rajasthan Royals for the 2025 IPL season. Dravid, currently on a brief career break since India’s triumph in Barbados in June, is expected to begin working with the Royals on key matters like player retention ahead of this year’s auction.

A source close to the situation revealed, “The discussions are in the final stages, and he will soon take on the head coach role.”

Kumar Sangakkara, who has served as Rajasthan Royals’ Director of Cricket since 2021, will maintain his position. He is expected to focus more on the franchise’s overseas teams, Barbados Royals (CPL) and Paarl Royals (SA20).

Dravid’s connection with Rajasthan Royals is longstanding, having captained the team in 2012 and 2013 before transitioning to a mentorship role for two years. He later served in a similar capacity with Delhi Capitals in 2016 until he became the head of the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. In 2021, he succeeded Ravi Shastri as India’s head coach.

At Royals, Dravid will reunite with Sanju Samson, who is likely to be retained as the team captain. Samson’s career flourished under Dravid’s guidance. Additionally, ESPNCricinfo has reported that Vikram Rathour, India’s former batting coach under Dravid, might join the franchise as an assistant coach.