Former Indian cricket legend and head coach Rahul Dravid has made a much-anticipated return to the Rajasthan Royals (RR) as their head coach on a multi-year contract. Dravid, who previously captained the Royals in the 2012 and 2013 IPL seasons before taking on the role of mentor and Director of Cricket for the franchise in 2014 and 2015, is back in the IPL fold after a long hiatus.

Rahul Dravid returns to Rajasthan Royals, set for IPL auction after 8 years

Dravid’s last association with the IPL came before he shifted his focus to nurturing young Indian talent through the Under-19 setup. His efforts bore fruit as India produced several world-class cricketers during his tenure. More recently, Dravid concluded his stint as India's head coach on a high note, guiding the team to victory in the T20 World Cup 2024.

As Dravid prepares to represent RR at the IPL 2025 auction table, he reflected on his return, saying, “I haven’t attended an auction in about eight or nine years. I remember being part of the first auction in 2008—it felt strange and awkward back then. Over the years, the process has evolved, becoming more professional and organized. While there aren’t jitters, there’s certainly a level of excitement because you’re building a team.”

That time of the year 💗⏳ pic.twitter.com/Tdp7zRBkiW

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) November 24, 2024

#IPLAuction2025 ⏳🔥 pic.twitter.com/jCoOv82DtV

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) November 23, 2024

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Core retentions limit RR’s auction purse

Rajasthan Royals have retained a strong core, including skipper Sanju Samson, emerging stars Yashasvi Jaiswal and Riyan Parag, alongside key players Shimron Hetmyer and Sandeep Sharma. This strategic move, however, has left them with ₹41 crore out of their ₹120 crore purse for the auction.

Dravid acknowledged the challenges this presents but emphasized the importance of adaptability during auctions. "We’ve retained a strong core, so we’re a little more comfortable. But in auctions, surprises are inevitable, and thinking on your feet is crucial,” he remarked.

With Dravid’s return and a well-structured squad, Rajasthan Royals are aiming to bring their A-game in IPL 2025 and reclaim the trophy.