On Saturday, August 30, the Rajasthan Royals (RR) made a bombshell announcement concerning the way forward for the India legend and their head coach, Rahul Dravid, on the franchise.
Rajasthan Royals (RR) surprisingly acknowledged that they’ve determined to half methods with Rahul Dravid forward of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 and praised his exceptional companies for the workforce.
Rahul Dravid began the Rajasthan Royals journey in 2011
The legendary Indian batsman Rahul Dravid began off his journey with the inaugural IPL champions in 2011 when he was purchased by the Rajasthan Royals after being briefly in peril of going unsold because the Royal Challengers Bangalore didn’t bid for him.
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He repaid the religion of the franchise by scoring 343 runs within the season and emerged because the workforce’s prime run-scorer. Within the subsequent season, Dravid was appointed as the brand new captain of the workforce and continued within the function until 2013.
In these two seasons on the helm, Rahul Dravid was wonderful with the bat as he scored 462 and 471 runs. Additionally, he captained RR in 40 matches and gained 23.
He served because the workforce mentor and director in 2014 and 2015 and had an honest stint. Then, Rahul Dravid was formally named as the brand new Rajasthan Royals head coach in September 2024, on the again of his triumph with Group India within the T20 World Cup 2024.
He signed a multi-year cope with the franchise, however in IPL 2025, Rajasthan Royals completed in ninth spot on the factors desk with simply 4 wins in 14 matches, and the 2 events determined to half methods.
Notably, Rajasthan Royals provided a broader strategic function to Rahul Dravid after a structural evaluate, however he selected to not settle for it.
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Rahul Dravid left Rajasthan Royals due to a rift with Sanju Samson?
The departure of Rahul Dravid from the Rajasthan Royals (RR) has come amid the controversy surrounding the captain, Sanju Samson, who has requested for his launch from the franchise, with many blaming the rift between the duo for the top coach’s exit.
Nonetheless, a report in Cricbuzz has peeled off the layers of Rahul Dravid’s exit, which seems to be sudden in nature however is not really one. After the conclusion of IPL 2025, workforce proprietor Manoj Badale known as for a season evaluate assembly in London, the place Dravid was current, and he was provided a “broader” function that he rejected.
Though Dravid’s exit has been linked to Sanju Samson, it isn’t precisely the case. The disagreements between Dravid and Samson had been not more than the same old coach-captain spat, and issues acquired higher between them through the finish phases of the competitors.
“Their relationship was believed to have been not more than the same old, regular, and common disagreements which might be seen within the relations between any coach and captain. The truth is, each of them are outdated Royals fingers, and one would solely assume that their getting collectively can be vital to the franchise’s future, and by all accounts, this was on view in the previous couple of video games, the place they appeared to be syncing collectively properly to win just a few video games,” the Cricbuzz report learn.
Notably, Samson’s unhappiness wasn’t purely about Dravid, and at present, there are three faculties of thought at RR; the primary one is favouring Riyan Parag as future skipper, one other camp needs Yashasvi Jaiswal on the helm, whereas the third group needs Sanju Samson to proceed on the helm.
Kumar Sangakkara to succeed Dravid?
RR Director of Cricket Kumar Sangakkara might succeed Dravid as the top coach, however the closing choice on this matter will likely be made after a gathering in London, the place Vikram Rathour will even be current.
“It’s not clear whether or not Sangakkara has been invited to the London assembly, however it’s understood that Vikram Rathour, the previous India batting coach who joined the Royals alongside Dravid final yr, is more likely to attend. For now, plainly Rathour is predicted to proceed with the franchise,” the report added.
Additionally, a number of IPL franchises are eager to have Dravid of their setup, and the India legend could possibly be seen in one of many workforce’s dugouts within the upcoming seasons.
Coming again to the Sanju Samson matter, the Kerala celebrity wanting to go away is not immediately linked to Rahul Dravid; therefore, his exit will not result in a change within the batter’s thoughts, with the ultimate choice within the franchise’s fingers.
“Dravid’s presence or absence makes little distinction, as Samson’s relationship with the franchise has reached a stage the place he requested the franchise to search for a commerce on his behalf. This clearly signifies he’s searching for a brand new course. However leaving the workforce can’t be Samson’s selection,” the Cricbuzz report learn.
⭐️Cricbuzz Unique ⭐️
Rahul Dravid’s exit from Rajasthan Royals could look sudden.
However whispers had been rising for months: in regards to the coach, the captain, and the course of the workforce.
The complete story 🧵 pic.twitter.com/f6Gf5NgPDQ
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) August 30, 2025
