Following Rahul Dravid’s exit, the Rajasthan Royals announced Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara as their head coach for the 2026 Indian Premier League.
Sangakkara, who has been the team’s Director of Cricket since 2021 and held the position from 2021 to 2024, will take over as head coach after Dravid left the team in August this year.
“Director of Cricket Kumar Sangakkara will also take charge as Head Coach for IPL 2026,” Rajasthan Royals said on X on Monday.
After rejoining the team for the 2025 season on a multi-year contract, former India captain Dravid’s stint came to an unexpected end. Following a “structural review” of the team’s subpar play earlier this year, the former national coach who won the T20 World Cup, resigned.
With just four victories from 14 games, Rajasthan Royals had a poor run and finished ninth in the 10-team competition.
Days after Sanju Samson, the wicketkeeper-batter for the Rajasthan Royals, was traded to the Chennai Super Kings, Sangakkara returned as head coach.
In exchange, the Royals’ camp has signed Sam Curran and Ravindra Jadeja. Ahead of the mini-auction scheduled for December 16 in Abu Dhabi, RR also released a total of seven players, including three overseas.
Akash Madhwal, Ashok Sharma, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Kumar Kartikeya Singh, Kunal Rathore, Maheesh Theekshana, and Wanindu Hasaranga are some of the players the Royals have released.
