THE BIG EXIT
Rahul Dravid parted ways with Rajasthan Royals ahead of IPL 2026 © Getty
Rahul Dravid’s exit from the Rajasthan Royals side may be sudden, but it is certainly not surprising. There have been whispers about it for some time, and the move had been in the pipeline since the conclusion of the recent IPL season, in which the team finished an underwhelming ninth, with just four wins from 14 games.
A better performance was surely expected from a side helmed by a coach who had just lifted the World Cup with the Indian team. At that time, Dravid was the hottest property in the coaching market, and he eventually became the prized catch for a franchise known for investing in youngsters and building for the future.
Fleetingly, Dravid appeared to be a perfect fit into the Royals’ philosophy of patient grooming, studious hard work, and meticulous attention to detail. But in the high-pressure ecosystem of the IPL, where quick fixes and instant success are often the norm, that approach overlapped with the demands of the league. A balance between the two philosophies was being worked out, yet in the IPL it is ultimately the owner’s prerogative to take the patient route or being impatient for results and the points table.
Dravid and the Royals management had been in discussions since July, when he flew to London for the review of the just-concluded season. Manoj Badale, keen to retain him, is believed to have offered him a different position, and as the franchise stated in its release on Saturday, Dravid was offered a ‘broader’ role. But Dravid, who always remained loyal to the franchise for the 2011 gesture of picking him in the auction when there was the danger of him remaining unsold, has chosen to decline the alternative offer.
The Sanju Samson Saga
Dravid’s departure will inevitably be viewed as a fallout of much-publicised l’affaire Sanju Samson, who has asked the management to release him. When a long-standing captain of the side is unhappy, the coach can scarcely escape examination. Samson’s disenchantment within the system must have also been a jolt for Dravid, who has been fiercely protective of the player and often cited his development within the RR setup as a matter of pride.
Samson was clearly unhappy with the way things unfolded for the Royals during the IPL, in addition to his injury. Dravid, though, may not be solely responsible for the captain’s disillusionment. Their relationship was believed to have been no more than the usual, normal and regular disagreements that are seen in the relations between any coach and captain. In fact, both of them are old Royals hands and one would only assume that their getting together would be critical to the franchise’s future and by all accounts this was on view in the last few games where they seemed to be syncing together nicely to win a few games.
It was not as if the equation between them was damaged totally. The buzz outside the setup suggests that within the franchise there were three different schools of thought: one group pushed for Riyan Parag, who captained the side in a few games; another backed Yashasvi Jaiswal as the future leader; while a third preferred maintaining the status quo – with Samson continuing at the helm.
What next for RR, Dravid, Sanju & Sangakkara
It is obvious that a narrative will emerge that Kumar Sangakkara, currently team director, is the frontrunner to replace Dravid but it cannot yet to be said with certainty. It is learnt that Badale has called a meeting of the entire support staff in London over the next few days, where a decision will be taken – whether or not it is announced immediately. The sudden turn of events may work in Sangakkara’s favour, although IPL buzz is that he had previously been in talks with a few other franchises.
It is not clear whether Sangakkara has been invited to the London meeting, but it is understood that Vikram Rathour, the former India batting coach who joined the Royals alongside Dravid last year, is likely to attend. For now, it seems that Rathour is expected to continue with the franchise. Should Sangakkara take over, Trevor Penney, who was his assistant previously and is currently part of the Royal setup, may have a big role to play in RR.
The obvious question now is whether Samson will stay on, now that Dravid is gone. The answer is a straightforward one – it is not entirely in the player’s hands. Dravid’s presence or absence makes little difference, as Samson’s relationship with the franchise has reached a stage where he requested the franchise to look for a trade on his behalf. This clearly indicates he is looking for a new direction.
But leaving the team cannot be Samson’s choice. He is bound by the franchise-player contract for another two years and he will have no other options but to stay on unless the Royals choose to release or trade him. In reality, three scenarios are possible: he could be traded to another franchise, released into the auction pool, or continue with the Royals – albeit unhappily. At this stage, the second scenario appears more likely, though nothing can be said with certainty.
Finally, the big question – what next for Dravid? Offers are certain to come his way from multiple franchises, and Cricbuzz can reveal that a few are interested. Yet, knowing the nature of the beast with the acronym of ‘The Wall’ one would expect him to treat all the offers with a characteristic dead bat. He may, however, be also aware that vacancies do not arise infinitely and that franchises may not keep chasing him indefinitely – and he may not be the hottest property in the coaching market forever.
© Cricbuzz
