Kumar Sangakkara will run Rajasthan Royals’ dug-out and front office next season, formally taking on the twin post of head coach and director of cricket. In truth, little changes on the ground – he had already covered both jobs throughout IPL 2025 after Rahul Dravid’s exit – but the designation now matches the reality.
Vikram Rathour, batting coach last term, steps up to assistant coach. Shane Bond keeps the bowling brief, Trevor Penney continues as assistant coach, and Sid Lahiri stays on as performance coach.
“We are delighted to have Kumar return as head coach,” franchise lead-owner Manoj Badale said. “As we looked at what the team needed at this stage, we felt that his familiarity within the squad, his leadership and his deep understanding of the Royals culture would bring the right balance of continuity and stability. Kumar has always had our complete trust as a leader. His clarity, calmness and cricketing intelligence will play an important role in guiding the squad into this next phase.”
Sangakkara’s first stint in charge, 2021-24, coincided with the Royals’ return to the sharp end of the table: runners-up in 2022 and play-off finishers in 2024. The Sri Lankan great welcomed the renewed mandate. “I’m honoured to return as head coach and continue working with this talented group,” he said. “I’m also pleased to have a strong coaching team alongside me. Vikram, Trevor, Shane and Sid each bring valuable experience in their areas, and together we are focused on preparing the players in the best possible way. We have a clear understanding of where we want to go as a group, and our aim is to build a team that plays with clarity, resilience, and purpose.”
The coaching unit will be plotting with a new on-field leader. Sanju Samson has been traded to Chennai Super Kings, with all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran moving the opposite way. Donovan Ferreira also joins from Delhi Capitals, while Nitish Rana, Akash Madhwal, Ashok Sharma, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Kumar Kartikeya, Kunal Singh Rathore, Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga have all been released or dealt elsewhere.
The reshuffle leaves Rajasthan with nine slots – one for an overseas player – and INR 16.05 crore in the purse for December’s auction. A top-order batter and a powerplay seamer appear the obvious priorities, though the franchise is keeping plans close. One senior scout put it simply: “We’ve enough money for targeted buys, not a shopping spree.”
Bond’s retention should help whichever quicks arrive, while Rathour’s promotion gives the batting group a familiar sounding board. A measured back-room build, then, rather than fireworks – very much in line with Sangakkara’s understated style.
The big question now: who captains the side? Jadeja is the obvious name, Curran another. Sangakkara, never keen on tipping his hand, smiled when asked last week. “We’ll confirm at the right time,” he said, before adding, with characteristic calm, “it will be someone who embodies what the Royals stand for.”
