“I am delighted to be returning to the franchise I have called ‘home’ for so many years,” Dravid said in a statement. He captained RR in the 2012 and 2013 IPLs and mentored the team in 2014 and 2015. “Post the World Cup, I feel it is the ideal time for another challenge and the Royals are the perfect place to do so… Given the talent and resources we have, it is an exciting opportunity to take this team to the next level and I am looking forward to getting started.”
Dravid’s appointment marks his first return to the IPL since taking charge of the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru in 2019. He was appointed head coach of the India men’s team in 2021 and ended his three-year tenure with their first ICC title in 11 years.
RR said in a statement that Dravid “will join the team with immediate effect and will work with Royals’ Director of Cricket Kumar Sangakkara to implement the franchise’s overall cricket strategy.”
RR have not won the IPL title since the inaugural season in 2008. Their next best finish was a runner-up finish behind Gujarat Titans in 2022. They failed to qualify for the playoffs in 2023 and despite a great start to the season, finished fifth in the league, but qualified in 2024 and were eliminated in the second qualifying round.
“We are delighted to welcome Rahul back to the franchise,” said RR CEO Jake Lush McCrum. “His exceptional coaching ability is evident in the transformation he has led in Indian cricket. He also has a deep connection to the franchise and we have seen that passion come through in every conversation. Rahul has already joined forces with Kumar (Sangakkara) and the rest of the team and we are preparing for this exciting new period for the franchise with the IPL and the auction just around the corner.”
