The team is now considering a change, and Dravid's name has surfaced as a potential candidate for the role...
Digital Desk: Rahul Dravid, renowned for his illustrious career as a batter and his recent stint as India’s head coach, has found himself at the center of speculation regarding his next role in cricket. Since stepping down from his position after guiding India to a remarkable T20 World Cup title in June, Dravid humorously suggested to the media that he might need their help in finding his next job.
However, the legendary cricketer has been frequently linked with various roles, with the latest buzz pointing towards a return to the Indian Premier League (IPL) as the head coach of the Rajasthan Royals.
The Rajasthan Royals, IPL's inaugural champions in 2008, currently lack a head coach. Kumar Sangakkara, who has been serving as the Director of Cricket since 2021, has held the position without a dedicated head coach, supported by assistant coaches Shane Bond and Trevor Penny. The team is now considering a change, and Dravid's name has surfaced as a potential candidate for the role.
Meanwhile, the departure of Matthew Mott from his position as head coach of the England white-ball team has opened up one of the most coveted roles in world cricket. The media has linked multiple former players and leading coaches to the vacancy, but it seems that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is particularly interested in Kumar Sangakkara for the position.
Sangakkara, a former Sri Lankan captain, has been linked to the England role, though he has not outrightly confirmed any such move. In a recent statement, Sangakkara acknowledged the speculation but noted, “I know my name has been mentioned for some reason, but there has not been any approach as such. The England white-ball job is an exciting prospect, but there are so many good candidates out there. I am very happy at the moment. The Rajasthan Royals experience has been very fulfilling and it has been a job I have really enjoyed over the last four years.”
According to Cricbuzz, Sangakkara’s potential move to England could pave the way for Dravid to return to the Royals. Dravid had previously been associated with the Royals as a mentor towards the end of his playing career in 2014 and later served as their coach before joining the BCCI. His connection with the franchise makes him a strong candidate for the head coach position should Sangakkara move on.
Sangakkara's close relationship with ECB managing director Rob Key and his good rapport with England’s white-ball captain Jos Buttler further bolster his candidacy for the England role. The ECB, however, has yet to formally begin the selection process, and an official shortlist has not been released. In the interim, Marcus Trescothick has been appointed to fill a temporary role for next month's five-match ODI series against Australia.
As the cricketing world waits for official announcements, the potential realignment of coaching roles is creating significant interest and anticipation.
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