Image Credit: NDTV Sports
Rajasthan Royals on Saturday officially announced that head coach Rahul Dravid will resign from the position with the franchise before IPL 2026. The former Indian captain, who was appointed on a multi-year deal last year, has also turned down an offer for an expanded role after a structural review within the team's administration.
The franchise issued a heartfelt statement expressing gratitude towards Dravid for his services.
"Rahul has been at the heart of Royals' travels for many years. His leadership has had a generation of players, fostered robust values within the team, and left an everlasting influence on the culture of the franchise. The Rajasthan Royals, its players, and millions of fans across the globe gratefully acknowledge Rahul for his exemplary service to the franchise," the statement stated.
Dravid's comeback to the Rajasthan Royals dugout in IPL 2025 had created great hopes, particularly following his successful stint as India's head coach, which culminated with the Men's T20 World Cup triumph in 2024.
The tournament did not pan out as hoped for, though. Rajasthan Royals could manage to win just four of the 14 matches and ended up ninth on the points table only a notch above struggling Chennai Super Kings.
Injuries also contributed to the underwhelming performance of the team. Skipper Sanju Samson was out for five games with a side strain, leaving all-rounder Riyan Parag to captain in his place. With moments of individual brilliance, the team was not consistent throughout the season.
Rahul Dravid has been linked to the Rajasthan Royals before. He was the team captain in 2012 and 2013, while later acting as team mentor for the 2014 and 2015 seasons. His comeback as head coach in 2024 was viewed as a complete circle, bringing back memories of reviving the 2008 IPL championship-winning team glory.
But his recent stint has proved to be brief, lasting under a year. The promise of a broader management position had been considered a means of retaining Dravid's involvement in determining the franchise's future direction, but he has decided against remaining in any way.
With Dravid retiring, Rajasthan Royals will now start the hunt for a new head coach in preparation for IPL 2026. The team is likely to see more reconstruction as it seeks to rebuild and find competitiveness in the league.
As Dravid's departure signifies the end of yet another chapter of his long affiliation with the Royals, his impact on defining the culture and values of the team will probably endure as a lasting legacy.
