Rahul Dravid's return to the Rajasthan Royals as their new head coach for a multi-year term has been confirmed, marking his reconnection with a team he previously led both on the field and from the sidelines. Having recently steered India to victory in the T20 World Cup, Dravid expressed his eagerness to embrace a fresh challenge with the Royals, citing the abundance of talent and resources available as key factors in his decision.
Recent reports indicated discussions between Dravid and RR, including talks on potential player retentions leading up to the upcoming mega auction. Notably, Dravid shares a long history with RR skipper Sanju Samson, nurturing his talent during the under-19 phase. This move signifies Dravid's comeback to the IPL arena since his tenure at the National Cricket Academy and a successful coaching stint with the Indian men's team.The Royals' management emphasized Dravid's immediate involvement with the team, collaborating closely with the director of cricket, Kumar Sangakkara, to shape the franchise's cricketing blueprint.
Despite their IPL title drought since 2008, RR sees Dravid's reappointment as a pivotal step towards revitalizing their campaign, building on past achievements and learnings. Chief Executive Officer Jake Lush McCrum lauded Dravid's coaching prowess and deep-rooted connection to the franchise, underlining the promising trajectory ahead for the team in the upcoming season.