Dravid will join as head coach of RR, with Kumar Sangakkara remaining director of cricket.
It was reported that Dravid didn't want to take up a full-time assignment that demands his commitment for 8-10 months a year but was keen to return to IPL and take up a job that only needs him to be present for 2-3 months in a year.
As per the ESPNCricinfo report, Dravid recently signed a contract with Rajasthan Royals and has had preliminary discussions about player retention ahead of the forthcoming mega auction. He has a long-standing professional relationship with RR captain Sanju Samson, who rose through the U19 ranks under Dravid's guidance.
Dravid has a past with RR. He was their captain in IPL 2012 and 2013, and team director and mentor in 2014 and 2015. Dravid joined the Delhi Daredevils (now the Delhi Capitals) in 2016 before taking over as head of the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru in 2019.
In 2021, he was named head coach of the India men's team, and his three-year tenure culminated in their first ICC title in 11 years.
Alongside Dravid, former Team India assistant coach Vikram Rathour has also been signed for the role of Assistant Coach at Rajasthan Royals.
However, Rahul Dravid’s arrival in Rajasthan Royals will not hamper Kumar Sangakkara’s position as director of cricket. Sangakkara will continue to manage their franchise and teams in other tournaments, including the Paarl Royals in the SA20 and the Barbados Royals in the CPL.
Rajasthan Royals will hope for better results with Rahul Dravid at the helm. RR have not won the IPL title since the inaugural season in 2008; their next best finish was in 2022 when they came runners-up to Gujarat Titans.