Rajasthan Royals announced the appointment of Rahul Dravid as a head coach for the IPL 2025 on Friday, September 6. After leading India to the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 success, the legendary cricketer is set for a new challenge as a head coach of the Royals who last won the IPL trophy in 2008.
Dravid featured in three IPL seasons with Rajasthan from 2011 to 2013 where he scored over 1,200 runs and then also served as team mentor in 2014 and 2015. Dravid talked about a totally new challenge with his former team after joining Sanju Samson-led Rajasthan.
“"I am pleased to be returning to the franchise I have called 'home' for a number of years in the past. After the World Cup, I feel it's the ideal time for me to take on another challenge, and the Royals is the perfect place to do that”, Rahul Dravid said in a statement.
Dravid replaced the legendary Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara as a head coach for the Jaipur-based franchise. Sangakkara will continue his role as the Royals' director of cricket and the franchise added that both Test legends will work together to build up the team's strategy.
"We are delighted to be bringing Rahul back to the franchise," RR CEO Jake Lush McCrum said. "His exceptional coaching capabilities are evident with the transformation he's driven in Indian cricket. He also has a deep connection to the franchise, and we've seen that passion come through in all our conversations. Rahul has already got to work with Kumar Sangakkara and the rest of the team, as we prepare for this exciting new period for the franchise starting with IPL retention and the auction just around the corner."
Rajasthan continue to seek their second IPL title after their success in an inaugural edition in 2008. Rajasthan reached the playoffs in the IPL 2024 and finished the 2022 edition as the runners-up. With Dravid at the helm, the Royals will look to end their wait for glory after 17 years.
