Rahul Dravid Set To Return To Rajasthan Royals As Head Coach, Sangakkara To Stay As Director

Reports sugges🐈t that the 52-year-old has finalised a deal with the franchise and the conversations surrounding player retention ahead of the upcoming mega auctions have already stꦆarted.

“The talks have rea✨ched the final stages and he will soon step into the head coach job,” a source close to the development told PTI.

Dravid finished his IPL career as a player with the Royals in 2𒆙013 afte🍃r joining the franchise in 2011. He also led the side in 2012 and 2013 before staying on for the 2014 and 2015 seasons as mentor of the side.

The current RR skipper Sanju Samson made his IPL debut under Dravid's leadership and the duo reunited at Delhi Daredevils when the Indian legend took up the mentor's role with the franchise in 2016 and 2017. As per a PTI report, Samson💎 is set to be retained as the🐭 captain.

This will be Dravid's first coaching role since guiding India to their first ICC title in more than a decade at this year's T20 World Cup in the United States and the West Indies.

ESPNCricinfo also reꦉported that Dravid could rope in Vikram Rathour in the RR coaching staff. Rathour was part of Dravid's staff as a batting coach during India's T20 World Cup-winning campaign.

Reports had earlier hinted that the job of Kumar Sangakarra, the director of cricket at RR, could be at risk due to Dravid's arrival. However, as per the latest ESPNCricinfo💟 report, the Sri Lankan great would continue in his role and will o🅠verlook the sister franchises of the Royals group.

RR owners have tw𝄹o more franchises🍌 under the same Royals tag: Paarl Royals in the SA20 and Barbados Royals in the Caribbean Premier League.

RR 💃have not been able to lay their hands on the IPL trophy since the inaugural edition in 2008. However, of late RR have done well, making final of the 2021 edition and play-offs in the lღast season.