Rahul Dravid has stepped down from his role as the head coach of Rajasthan Royals. He will not continue with the franchise in any position ahead of IPL 2026.
The Royals made the announcement on Saturday, August 30. The franchise thanked Dravid for his service through a post on their official social media accounts.
IPL 2026: End of an Era with Rajasthan Royals for Rahul Dravid
The Royals said Dravid had played a big role in shaping the team’s journey. His leadership and values had a strong impact on the players. The franchise also revealed that Dravid had been offered a new broader role. But he chose not to accept it.
Dravid rejoined the Royals after finishing his term as India’s head coach in 2024. He took over as the head coach of the franchise for the 2025 season. Before that, he had worked as a mentor with the Royals in 2014 and 2015.
The former India captain also has history with the Royals as a player. He represented the franchise between 2011 and 2013. During this period, he played 46 IPL matches and scored 1276 runs. His batting included seven fifties, with an average of 29.00.
Dravid also captained the Royals. Under his leadership, the team reached the final of the Champions League T20 in 2013. Fans still remember his calm style and strong influence on young players during that time.
The franchise now faces a challenge. With the IPL 2026 mini auction coming soon, the Royals must look for a new head coach quickly. The replacement will have the task of guiding the 2008 champions into a new phase.
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Dravid’s exit leaves a big gap. The Royals thanked him for his remarkable contribution and said his legacy will stay within the team’s culture. Fans across the world also sent messages of respect and gratitude to the Indian great.
The departure of Dravid marks the end of another chapter in his long association with the Rajasthan Royals.
