Rahul Dravid’s surprise exit from Rajasthan Royals has opened up one of the biggest talking points ahead of IPL 2026 – where will “The Wall” head next? The former India head coach, who took charge of RR for IPL 2025, has decided to walk away from the franchise after just one season, even rejecting an expanded role offered to him by the management.
As per reports, Dravid’s departure leaves two IPL teams currently without a head coach – Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders. KKR parted ways with Chandrakant Pandit earlier in July, and the vacancy immediately makes them one of the front-runners to approach Dravid for the upcoming season. Cricbuzz has also claimed that a few franchises are already exploring the possibility of adding Dravid to their support staff.
During his one-season stint with RR, Dravid worked with young Indian talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Riyan Parag, but reports suggest internal differences within the camp played a role in his decision to leave. Meanwhile, RR are said to be considering Kumar Sangakkara as a possible replacement.
Dravid’s coaching career has already been decorated with achievements beyond the IPL. From guiding India’s U-19 and India A sides, to taking over the National Cricket Academy, and finally leading India to their 2024 T20 World Cup triumph, his credentials make him one of the most respected coaches in the game.
With plenty of time before IPL 2026, all eyes will be on Dravid’s next move – whether he returns to the dugout with another franchise like KKR, or chooses to take a step back after a high-profile stint with both India and Rajasthan Royals.
