Rahul Dravid today made it official that he had quit as head coach of Rajasthan Royals. This announcement brings one of the biggest and most talked about chapters in Indian Super League and for former Indian cricket captain comes to a close. Dravid, 52, was anointed the Royals’ next head coach following an outstanding playing career with the franchise. He was a member of the squad from 2011-13 and was captain of the team during his last year.
In truth, Dravid’s past with the Royals stretches back a long time. He remained with the franchise in a mentoring role from 2013 to 2015 even after the retirement from professional cricket. His impact on the team has been profound, influencing their culture and instilling strong values among players. During his recent coaching tenure, Dravid handed a debut to the promising 14-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi, showcasing his commitment to nurturing young talent.
Dravid had declined a wider role in the franchise. This decision led to widespread speculation regarding his future with the Indian Premier League (IPL) and cricket coaching in general. He landed on his decision after a late bloom of a 4-12 season. The Royals fell flat in 2025, placing ninth and winning only four of their 14 group-stage games.
Dravid’s departure makes him the second coach to leave their IPL franchise during this off-season, following a trend that has seen several coaching changes across teams. Rashid Khan, 33, is the man set to fill that void. He has departed the franchise now to honour his international commitments with Afghanistan.
Rahul has been instrumental in the Royals’ story throughout the years. His leadership has molded a generation of players and embedded strong principles within the group. It has created a permanent force on the franchise’s culture,” said the Rajasthan Royals.
This transition will be one of the most important moments for the Royals. Follow their journey as they look to rebuild and plan for a stronger season ahead. His deep experience and knowledge of the game will be a huge loss. Yet his contributions have forged a bedrock on which future success looms large.
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