Rahul Dravid has resigned as the head coach of the Rajasthan Royals (RR). The Rajasthan Royals have been at the center of IPL discussions recently, with speculation about the franchise and its players intensifying ahead of the 2026 season.
In recent months, there have been persistent rumors about Sanju Samson potentially leaving the team. Reports suggest that Samson is unhappy with the management and is exploring other options, with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) reportedly being his top choice.
Amid this backdrop, RR faced another significant setback. Rahul Dravid stepped down as head coach after just one season. Although he was offered a senior role within the organization, he declined, hinting at possible disagreements behind the scenes.
According to Cricbuzz, multiple factors contributed to Rahul Dravid decision. These include a possible power struggle over team leadership and his disagreement with strategic decisions, particularly regarding the future captaincy.
PTI reports add that the higher role offered to Dravid was unlike what a head coach typically receives. He reportedly viewed it as a “punishment promotion,” which would have excluded him from critical decisions such as squad selection and captaincy appointments.
Rahul Dravid Opposed RR’s Decision to Appoint Riyan Parag as Captain
Rahul Dravid’s departure from the Rajasthan Royals was reportedly influenced by the controversy surrounding Riyan Parag’s captaincy. With Sanju Samson set to leave the franchise, the RR management was eager to back Parag as the next face of the team.
Riyan Parag enjoys immense popularity in the North East, particularly at Guwahati’s Barsapara Stadium, which serves as RR’s secondary home ground. The management views him as a key figure in promoting the team’s brand across other regions as well.
However, this approach did not sit well with Rahul Dravid, who values merit-based leadership and long-term cricketing vision. The former Indian head coach preferred Yashasvi Jaiswal to take the captaincy, given his status as a regular India international and a consistent IPL performer.
Reports also suggest that Sanju Samson’s exit from the franchise contributed significantly to Rahul Dravid decision. The coach shared a strong rapport with Samson and was reportedly unhappy with the way his departure was handled.
