Last Updated on 1 month by Charbel Coorey
Rahul Dravid has stepped down as head coach of the Rajasthan Royals ahead of the IPL 2026 season. The franchise confirmed that while he was offered a broader strategic role following a structural review, Dravid declined and chose to exit.
His return to the Royals in 2025 came with high hopes, being a revered figure in Indian cricket and a former player, captain, and mentor within the franchise. Also, he rejoined after guiding India to the 2024 T20 World Cup title.
Why did Rahul Dravid leave RR ahead of the IPL 2026 season?
But the 2025 IPL campaign turned sour. The Royals managed just four wins in 14 matches and finished ninth. That poor record, combined with internal tensions, appears to have tested Dravid’s position.
As per the reports, disagreements over the succession plan for team captaincy played a pivotal role. While Riyan Parag and Yashasvi Jaiswal were in the running for leadership, stalwart Sanju Samson was reportedly reluctant to step aside, leaving Dravid caught in a storm.
Despite the off-field noise, the Royals highlighted Dravid’s positive influence on team culture and young players. Yet, his refusal to accept the newly proposed but less-defined role signaled the end of his most recent tenure. The franchise now faces the challenge of filling a leadership vacuum and rebuilding confidence heading into IPL 2026. Dravid’s legacy, built over the years, will endure but the Royals must now redefine their path.
The recent rumours of Samson wanting out also possibly played a part in Dravid’s exit. Prior to IPL 2025, the Kerala batter was likely India’s No. 1 choice opener in the shortest format. With three centuries in T20Is, Samson has been on a roll for the national team, locking in his place in the absences of Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
However, a middling IPL campaign, on both the batting and captaincy fronts, resulted in him falling down the pecking order. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar even claimed prior to the Asia Cup that Gill and Abhishek Sharma will be India’s frontline openers, potentially putting Samson’s spot in threat again. That, coupled with him demanding a trade request as per Cricbuzz, resulted in the Royals having to choose between their captain and coach. It seems like they have gone for the former, as of now.
