The curtain falls on Rahul Dravid’s era with the Rajasthan Royals as he steps away ahead of IPL 2026. It is not just another coaching change for fans of the Royals; it feels like losing the spine of the team. For more than a decade, “The Wall” has been a beacon for RR, helping develop players, developing game plans, and establishing standards both on and off the field. So why does it sting so bad? I will outline a few reasons why RR is now facing a hard road ahead.
Saying Goodbye to the Guide Behind RR’s Rising Stars
One of Dravid’s greatest strengths throughout history has always been developing young players. Since 2011, Dravid has been the backbone behind RR’s young guns, helping stars like Rahane and Samson find their footing. His highly anticipated return in 2025 as head coach was not only about strategy but about mentorship, stability, and values. For a team just filled with youngsters, Riyan Parag, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, and more, just having Dravid on their side would be what felt like a competitive advantage. These youngsters, now being without him, surely are feeling the pressure of the IPL 2026, stepping up without their most trusted mentor, which has to affect their trust and performance.
Vulnerability After a Rocky 2025 Season
It was a rollercoaster ride for RR that ended on a flat note in 2025 as the team battled injuries, leadership gaps, bad days, and underperforming, eventually finishing ninth. The previous Head Coach, Rahul Dravid, had plenty of issues to deal with while trying to integrate new signings, Jofra Archer and Nitish Rana. He brought a level of professionalism and a calm and considered approach during the difficult season, especially with Captain Sanju Samson missing matches. The timing of Dravid’s exit puts RR in a bind, forcing a predominantly young squad to shoulder the pressure of performing without their most dependable guiding figure.
Brewing Internal Turmoil and Leadership Confusion
Dravid’s departure also exposes potential unseen dysfunctions that may also exist at the Royals, Sanju Samson’s wish to leave while literally creating a stir about their next captaincy, and struggles in their management, suggesting that behind the scenes, things have never cooled down, so to speak. Dravid’s position as head coach allowed space for when inspiration was needed for players, when management disagreements were colliding, or the tensions/temperatures were bubbling. With Dravid now gone, the franchise will have to absorb any in-house dysfunction that touches on hierarchy, the challenges of being unsure of which way to even go, and a desire for a united culture, whilst unifying a group of individuals working as a collective, with hopes of rewriting the successes of the past. Simply put, it is clear that Dravid’s loss is far more than just a cricketing context; this too will have implications on culture and stability at a franchise level.
FAQs
- What impact did Dravid have on young players at RR?
He mentored and developed the franchise’s core young talent, including Sanju Samson and Riyan Parag.
- Who were the key players retained and released under Dravid in 2025?
Retained: Samson, Jaiswal, Parag, Jurel, Hetmyer, Sandeep Sharma; Released: Buttler, Chahal, Ashwin.
- Why is Dravid’s departure a concern for RR’s young squad?
The team loses its most trusted guide and mentor during a crucial rebuilding phase.
