Rahul Dravid Joins Rajasthan Royals as Head Coach for IPL 2025 Season

Former India head coach Rahul Dravid has officially signed on as the head coach of the Rajasthan Royals for the upcoming IPL 2025 season. Dravid, who led the Indian cricket team to victory in the T20 World Cup 2024 before stepping down, is set to return to the Indian Premier League (IPL) after a successful tenure with Team India.

Dravid’s decision to join the Rajasthan Royals aligns with his preference for a shorter, seasonal commitment, as opposed to a full-time role demanding 8-10 months of annual dedication. Alongside Dravid, Vikram Rathour, a former Team India assistant coach, will also join the Royals as Assistant Coach. Despite these changes, Kumar Sangakkara will retain his position as Director of Cricket Operations at the franchise.

According to ESPNCricinfo, Dravid and the Rajasthan Royals have finalized their contract ahead of the IPL mega auction, ensuring a smooth transition into the new role. Dravid, who previously captained the Royals in 2012 and 2013, and served as a team director and mentor in 2014 and 2015, is familiar with the franchise. His strong relationship with current Royals captain Sanju Samson, who played under Dravid in the Under-19 team, adds an extra layer of synergy to the move.

After his stint with the Royals, Dravid joined the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in 2016 before taking on the role of head of the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru in 2019. He transitioned to the India men’s cricket team in 2021, leading them to the T20 World Cup 2024 title after an 11-year wait for an ICC trophy.