Rahul Dravid, after a successful stint as Team India's head coach, is reportedly gearing up for a new adventure in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Following India's triumph in the T20 World Cup 2024, Dravid is now being linked with a return to the IPL. Initially, there were speculations about Dravid joining the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), especially since their mentor, Gautam Gambhir, left the team to fill the void left by Dravid in the Indian team as head coach. However, recent reports suggest that Dravid is in talks with his former IPL side, Rajasthan Royals.
"Talks are going on between RR and Dravid, and an announcement in this regard is around the corner," a source told The Times of India.
As Dravid prepares for his new role, Gambhir has already begun his tenure as the Indian team's head coach. He travelled to Sri Lanka with the Indian team ahead of their white-ball series. Before the departure, Gambhir acknowledged the significant legacy Dravid left behind and the challenge of filling his shoes.
Dravid humorously mentioned being "jobless" post the T20 World Cup victory and jokingly asked reporters for job offers. Given Dravid's immense talent and valuable experience in Indian cricket, it is no surprise that IPL franchises are keen to bring him on board.
Dravid's decision to step down as the Indian team's head coach was primarily influenced by the extensive travel required, which kept him away from his family for around 10 months a year. In contrast, the IPL's shorter duration, requiring a commitment of only 2-3 months annually, is a more appealing prospect for him.
The former India captain has considerable experience in the IPL, having previously served as a mentor and coach for various franchises. He coached the Delhi Daredevils until 2017, when he resigned due to a 'conflict of interest'. After ending his IPL coaching stint, Dravid took on roles as coach for India's junior teams, including the Under-19 and India A squads. Most recently, he was the head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru before taking up the role of India's head coach in 2021.
With the potential move to the Rajasthan Royals, it will be interesting to see in what capacity Dravid will contribute to the franchise. His vast experience and cricketing acumen are sure to be invaluable assets to the team.