IPL Teams That Might Appoint Rahul Dravid As Head Coach Ahead Of 2026 Season

Arnav Chopra

Rahul Dravid [Source: @Sachin_Gandhi7]Rahul Dravid [Source: @Sachin_Gandhi7]

It came as a shock to many after legendary, former Indian cricketer and World Cup-winning coach, Rahul Dravid, decided to step down from his position as head coach at Rajasthan Royals (RR). It is worth mentioning that Dravid was offered a higher position at the Royal franchise; however, he decided to turn it down completely and, in fact, quit the team.

Rahul Dravid Makes Exit As RR Head Coach

It wasn't an ideal season for the Rajasthan Royals side that finished one place above the bottom during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. They could only win four of their 14 matches, losing 10, and accumulated only eight points, as they were the second team to be eliminated in the group stage. 

Despite that, the Royal side showed faith in Dravid and wanted him to continue for the upcoming IPL 2026. However, it wasn't to be, as Dravid decided to step down from his position completely for the upcoming season. 

Rahul Dravid's Record As Coach/Mentor In IPL

Apart from being the head coach in IPL for the Royals, Rahul Dravid has also served as their mentor previously, alongside a stint with Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals) during 2016-17 season.

Team
Role
Seasons
Matches
Wins
Losses
Positions
Rajasthan RoyalsHead Coach2025144109th
Rajasthan RoyalsMentor2014-20152914154th/5th
Delhi DaredevilsMentor2016-20172813156th/6th

Teams That Could Rope In Dravid As Head Coach For IPL 2026

With all the huss and fuss going on in the IPL circle, there is expected to be some drama with Rahul Dravid's tenure as the head coach of a new franchise. It is expected that he might join another franchise ahead of IPL 2026, before the auction, which generally takes place around December/January. Therefore, we will examine three sides that might be on the lookout for a head coach ahead of the next season.

1. Kolkata Knight Riders

Why could KKR rope in Dravid as head coach?

  • Just like RR, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), three-time IPL winners, finished one place above the Royals at eighth position, with five wins in 14 games, as Ajinkya Rahane's side couldn't make it to the playoffs this time around. 
  • The fact that KKR parted ways with their head coach, Chandrakant Pandit, ahead of this season could potentially open the door for Dravid, who could ease into the side, as previously he was offered the mentor role in the side ahead of the 2024 season. However, it is unverified whether Dravid was actually offered the role in the KKR franchise.
  • Nevertheless, considering that the head coach position is vacant at the Knight Riders, Dravid could be a suitable fit for the side. KKR are a head coach-focused side, as they provide all the required powers to the head coaches rather than captains, where the coach makes all the necessary decisions in the franchise's strategic planning.

2. SunRisers Hyderabad

Why could SRH rope in Dravid as head coach?

Criterion
Data
Matches14
Won
6
Lost7
NR1
Finish6

(SRH's abysmal performance in IPL 2025)

  • After finishing in sixth place in the IPL 2025, courtesy of their six wins in 14 games, the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) might also consider Dravid as an option. 
  • The Hyderabad side, under the leadership of Pat Cummins, performed well in the 2024 season, with some brilliant performances. However, the previous season proved indifferent as they failed to fire, mostly with the bat.
  • The head coach, Daniel Vettori, has done a decent job so far. However, to look further, the Hyderabad management could give Dravid a chance to prove his acumen if the Sunrisers management decides to part ways with Vettori due to poor performance in the last season. 
  • The SRH side believes in results, as they are generally impatient when it comes to achieving the desired outcomes. This is why it is highly likely that SRH might consider Dravid ahead of the upcoming IPL season.

3. Lucknow Super Giants

Why could LSG rope in Dravid as head coach?

  • Another side that could potentially target Rahul Dravid for a similar reason is the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). The LSG side also had a similar record to Hyderabad, accumulating 12 points from their 14 matches, winning six games while losing eight.
  • Rishabh Pant led the Super Giants in the 2025 edition, with Justin Langer serving as their head coach. With this kind of performance, it is highly likely that Sanjiv Goenka's franchise might opt for another coach before the upcoming season, where Dravid could be a potential candidate to replace Langer. Also, there were reports of sacking current mentor Zaheer Khan before the next season.
  • As for the Lucknow side, Langer is the second coach in their short history, following Andy Flower and mentor Gautam Gambhir's departure. Considering this, it is also possible that Rahul could receive the nod before the next season begins. Considering they have young talents in their lineup, Lucknow could opt for the former Indian head coach's services, as he is a master of grooming youngsters.