Rahul Dravid set for IPL return as head coach of this franchise after long absence: Report

Rahul Dravid is set to return to his former Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Rajasthan Royals (RR) after nearly a decade. Dravid has been away from the IPL since joining the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). He helped India win the T20 World Cup 2024 ending their ICC trophy drought ending and had redemption of sorts on West Indies soil where India faced early exit in ODI World Cup 2007. He has never won an IPL as captain or coach and will be in charge of ending RR’s IPL trophy drought. 
 

As per a report by TOI, the discussions between the franchise and Dravid have taken placed and announcement is imminent.
 

"Talks are going on between RR and Dravid, and an announcement in this regard is around the corner,” a source close to the developments told the English daily.
 

He is likely to join RR captain Sanju Samson in the franchise ahead of the mega auction. So far, it is not clear who many players a franchise can return ahead of the auction. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to meet with IPL franchise in this regard later this month or in the first week of August.
 

The 51-year-old's tenure as head coach ended with India's T20 World Cup 2024 campaign. He helped India qualify for World Test Championship 2021-23 final and ODI World Cup 2023 final. India won the Asia Cup 2023 and qualified for T20 World Cup 2022 semifinal with Dravid at the helm of things. 

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Dravid at RR

After leaving Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Dravid joined RRR in 2011. He was named captain and led them to Champions League T20 final and IPL 2013 playoffs. After retirement, he stayed with RR as their mentor for two seasons. In IPL 2014, RR missed the playoffs spot after narrowly after losing to Mumbai Indians (MI) whereas in IPL 2015 they qualified for playoffs.

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Later, he joined Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals). He joined the Delhi-based franchise as mentor. 
 

Will Sangakkara stay? 

There is a question mark over whether the champions of inaugural IPL season will retain Kumar Sangakkara or not as their director of cricket. The former Sri Lanka captain has been serving for the franchise in the position since 2021.
 

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