Rahul Dravid, the former Indian captain and a celebrated figure in the world of cricket, has been appointed as the head coach of the Rajasthan Royals. The announcement came on Friday, marking a significant return for Dravid to the franchise after a successful stint as India’s head coach. His tenure with the Indian team ended in June with a triumphant victory at the T20 World Cup, marking the nation’s second title in the tournament.
Dravid’s connection with the Rajasthan Royals goes back to 2011, when he first joined the team as a player and coach. He spent five seasons with the franchise, including a period as captain, before moving on to other opportunities in Indian cricket. Now, he is back to lead the Royals into a new chapter, a move that has been welcomed with enthusiasm by the team and its fans.
The franchise expressed their excitement about Dravid’s return in a statement, highlighting his deep connection to the team and his impressive coaching capabilities. Jake Lush McCrum, CEO of the Royals Sports Group, praised Dravid’s transformative influence on Indian cricket and his ability to nurture talent. He also emphasized the importance of Dravid’s return, stating that it will be a significant boost for the team’s performance and the morale of both the players and the fans.
Manoj Badale, the lead owner of the Royals, expressed similar sentiments, highlighting the progress made by the team in recent years and expressing confidence that Dravid’s arrival will further accelerate their growth and competitiveness. Kumar Sangakkara, the Royals’ director of cricket, also lauded Dravid’s achievements as a coach and player, emphasizing his exceptional ability to develop talent and inspire consistent high performance. He expressed confidence that Dravid’s leadership will enable the Rajasthan Royals to challenge for the IPL title in the coming seasons.
Dravid himself expressed his excitement about returning to the Rajasthan Royals, stating that he believes it is the perfect place to take on a new challenge. He highlighted the progress made by the team in recent years and expressed his desire to contribute to their continued growth and development. His appointment comes at an exciting time for the franchise, as they prepare for the upcoming IPL retention and auction, where they will have the opportunity to build a formidable team for the next season.
