Former India coach Rahul Dravid is set to make a grand return to the Rajasthan Royals (RR) as their head coach for the 2025 IPL season. After leading the Indian men's cricket team to a historic T20 World Cup win in June 2024, Dravid's tenure with the national team concluded, paving the way for his return to the IPL. Dravid recently signed a deal with Rajasthan Royals and is already involved in discussions regarding player retentions for the upcoming mega auction.

Dravid’s legacy with Rajasthan Royals

Dravid is no stranger to Rajasthan Royals, having played and served in various capacities with the franchise in the past. He captained RR during the 2012 and 2013 IPL seasons, later transitioning into the role of team director and mentor in 2014 and 2015. His strong bond with Sanju Samson, the current captain of Rajasthan Royals, adds another layer to the story. Samson was groomed by Dravid during his time in the under-19 setup, and their working relationship is expected to bolster RR's team strategy.

Dravid’s influence on the IPL goes beyond Rajasthan Royals. He also worked with the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) between 2016 and 2019 before assuming his role at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and, later, the head coach position of India’s men's team in 2021. His return to RR marks a new chapter for the franchise as they look to recapture the glory of their 2008 IPL title win.

Support from a familiar coaching team

As Dravid steps into the role of head coach, RR are also looking to bolster their coaching staff by bringing in former India batter Vikram Rathour as one of the assistant coaches. Rathour, who served as India's batting coach during Dravid's tenure and previously worked with him at the NCA, is expected to bring valuable insights to RR’s batting lineup.

Kumar Sangakkara, who has been RR's director of cricket since 2021, will continue with his duties but will focus on managing the franchise's teams in other leagues, such as Paarl Royals in the SA20 and Barbados Royals in the CPL.

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Rajasthan Royals have been chasing their second IPL title since their historic win in 2008. Their best performance in recent years came in 2022 when they finished as runners-up to Gujarat Titans. Despite missing the playoffs in 2023, RR made a strong comeback in 2024, only to be knocked out in Qualifier 2. With Dravid at the helm, RR hope to finally reclaim the IPL trophy in the upcoming seasons.