Report: Rahul Dravid Set To Rejoin IPL As Coach For Rajasthan Royals, Snubbing KKR

Following his successful stint as the head coach leading the Indian team to victory in the T20 World Cup 2024, Rahul Dravid is reportedly set to embark on a new chapter in the Indian Premier League ( IPL ). Since his tenure as India 's head coach concluded, Dravid has been linked with several IPL franchises .

Initially, there were rumors suggesting that he might join Kolkata Knight Riders , especially since Gautam Gambhir left his mentorship role there to replace Dravid as India's head coach. However, recent reports indicate that Dravid is now in discussions with his former IPL team, the Rajasthan Royals .

"Negotiations are ongoing between RR and Dravid, and an official announcement is expected soon," a source told the Times of India.

As Dravid seeks new challenges, Gambhir has already taken over the reins as the Indian team's head coach, traveling to Sri Lanka with the squad for their upcoming white-ball series. Before their departure, Gambhir acknowledged the significant legacy left by Dravid and the challenges ahead in filling his shoes.

After India clinched the T20 World Cup 2024 title by defeating South Africa in the final, Dravid humorously remarked about being 'unemployed' starting next month and jokingly asked reporters if they had any job offers for him. Given Dravid's immense talent and invaluable experience in Indian cricket, it's no surprise that IPL franchises are eager to bring him on board.

Dravid opted not to continue as India's head coach due to the extensive travel involved, which kept him away from his family for about 10 months each year. In contrast, the IPL requires only a 2-3 month commitment annually, making it a more appealing option for Dravid.

The former Indian captain has previously served as a mentor and coach for IPL teams, including his tenure with the Delhi Daredevils, which he left in 2017 due to a 'conflict of interest'. Since then, Dravid has coached India's junior teams, including the Under-19 and India A squads, and most recently headed the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru before taking on the India head coach role in 2021.

With his potential association with the Rajasthan Royals, it remains to be seen in what capacity Dravid will contribute to the franchise.