The Indian Premier League is witnessing a series of unexpected changes before the commencement of its next season. The recent departure of Rahul Dravid as the head coach of Rajasthan Royals is a major development. The announcement, made by the inaugural IPL champions on August 30th, indicated that Dravid and the team mutually agreed to this separation, leading to questions about his coaching future. Specifically, the focus has turned to potential roles within the IPL, with one team appearing to be a strong possibility.
Dravid had taken charge of Rajasthan Royals as head coach the previous year, following his tenure as the coach of the Indian team in the T20 World Cup 2024. His resignation came after just one season. A statement released by Rajasthan Royals mentioned that the franchise offered Dravid an expanded role, which he declined, leading to his decision to leave the team.
While Dravid is currently unattached, speculation surrounds whether he will be coaching in the new season. With a proven track record as a coach, and previous experience with Delhi and Rajasthan, Dravid could be a valuable asset for any IPL team looking for a coach. One team, the Kolkata Knight Riders, could be a potential destination.
Kolkata, who won the IPL title in 2024, parted ways with their head coach, Chandrakant Pandit, following a less successful 2025 season. The franchise has not yet appointed a replacement. Thus, a move by Shah Rukh Khan’s team to bring in Dravid would not be unexpected. Apart from KKR and Rajasthan, no other IPL franchise currently has an open head coaching position. The next few weeks could be critical in determining Dravid’s next move.