Kumar Sangakkara to Head Rajasthan Royals Coaching Staff After Rahul Dravid's Departure
Former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara is set to take charge of the Rajasthan Royals' coaching setup, following the departure of Rahul Dravid, who stepped down as head coach after the IPL 2025 season. Sangakkara, who has been associated with RR as Director of Cricket since 2021, is expected to formally resume a lead coaching role, having already started informal planning for IPL 2026.
Sangakkara previously doubled up as both director and head coach between 2021 and 2023, a period that saw the Sanju Samson-led Royals reach the IPL final in 2022 and qualify for the playoffs in 2024. His return to a more hands-on role comes at a crucial time for the franchise, which is looking to recover from a disappointing 2025 campaign.
Dravid, a former captain and mentor of the Royals, was appointed head coach ahead of IPL 2025 after guiding India to the T20 World Cup title in 2024. Though he had signed a multi-year deal, his tenure was cut short after just one season. In a statement released in August, RR said Dravid had been offered a broader position following a structural review of the team’s poor 2025 performance, but he had "chosen not to take" the offer.
RR managed just four wins in 14 matches during the 2025 season, finishing ninth on the points table—leading to major changes at the top.
Captaincy in Focus After Samson Seeks Exit
Sangakkara's immediate challenge will be to address the captaincy situation. Sanju Samson, the franchise’s long-serving captain and most experienced player, has reportedly asked to be released following the 2025 season. The 30-year-old played only nine matches last season due to a side strain and is understood to have conveyed to the management his desire for a fresh start elsewhere.
Samson, who was retained for INR 18 crore (approx. USD 2.14 million) before the 2025 mega auction, remains a high-value player. While RR explored trade opportunities with other franchises, no agreement has been reached so far. The franchise has not made any public comment on Samson's status. The IPL retention deadline is usually at the end of November, though an official date is yet to be confirmed.
Support Staff Continuity Expected
Despite changes at the top, RR are expected to retain a core group of support staff. Vikram Rathour, the former India assistant coach, will continue in the same role at RR, while Shane Bond, who joined from Mumbai Indians in 2024, is likely to stay on as bowling coach.
Additionally, Trevor Penney and Siddhartha Lahiri, both of whom were part of Sangakkara’s earlier coaching setup, are also set for a return.
As the Royals prepare for yet another rebuild, Sangakkara’s leadership and long-term involvement with the franchise could prove pivotal in steering them back to contention in the 2026 season.