IPL 2026: Rahul Dravid Steps Down As Rajasthan Royals Head Coach. Former India captain Rahul Dravid has put in his papers as head coach of the Rajasthan Royals, just a year after taking up that role. The franchise announced on Friday.
Dravid was appointed to the role in September 2024. He had the responsibility of leading the program in IPL 2025, in which the team had a disappointing year, ending up in ninth place with just four wins from 14 matches. He was praised for instilling discipline and a proper environment for young players like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to develop, despite the disappointing results.
Franchise Statement and Next Steps
The Royals were appreciative of Dravid’s contributions to the franchise and stated that he was offered a more expansive role following an internal review. But Dravid chose not to take that role and instead departed further. The Royals said, “Rahul has been integral to helping get the Royals to where they are today, and while the franchise offered him a bigger role, he chose not to take it.”
Dravid’s relationship with the Rajasthan Royals goes back a long way. He began his career with the franchise as a player in 2011. Later captained the franchise, was formerly a mentor, and later joined the franchise as head coach in 2024. His exit from the franchise means another transition period for the Royals. They now need to find another head coach in the lead-up to the IPL 2026 mini auction.
There is also some speculation circulating about the internal dynamics of the team. According to reports, there was a possibility of a rift between Dravid and captain Sanju Samson, but this has not been confirmed.
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As Dravid steps away, it will be interesting to see who will lead the rebuilding process for the Royals. With IPL 2026 a few months away, it is expected that the franchise will provide a replacement soon.
