The news of Rahul Dravid parting ways with Rajasthan Royals after just one year of his return to the franchise sent shockwaves across the cricketing world.
Only last year did the 52-year-old return to the squad on a multi-year contract, but he has made the decision to leave the team he played for from 2011 to 2013. Over the next two years, he continued to function as a mentor and director.
The Rajasthan Royals finished 9th on the IPL 2025 points table after winning only four games out of 14 in the tournament. Recently, Sanju Samson, RR’s captain since 2021, has reportedly requested his release from the franchise, as the team is tilting towards Riyan Parag becoming the next captain of the RR team.
Meanwhile, Rahul Dravid had refused the RR management’s offer of a broader role with the franchise and instead decided to part ways.
The press release issued by RR on Saturday categorically states: "As part of the franchise structural review, Rahul had been offered a broader position at the franchise but has chosen not to take this." What it doesn't state is that Dravid was actually being offered an elevation that would limit his role in strategic decisions as far as the main team was concerned.”
"If you have ever worked with any IPL team, just know one thing. Whenever a head coach is offered a broader role, it is like a punishment promotion. It means you have no role in the actual team-building process," a noted Indian coach told PTI.
After a terrible 2025 season in which they finished ninth in the league, the Royals may have to make some difficult decisions over a new full-time leader, with veteran captain Sanju Samson already gazing at the departure door.
The most well-known athlete to come out of Assam, Riyan Parag, captained the Royals last season while Samson was sidelined due to fitness concerns and is seen as the leading candidate for full-time leadership.
Was Dravid, however, truly in agreement with the Royals management regarding Riyan's rise to the top, considering that the squad features a far more accomplished player in Yashasvi Jaiswal in the same lineup?
Many of the decisions made by the franchise think tank may not have matched Dravid's goals for the team, according to people who have been following the Royals since the previous season. 'The Wall,' who has long regarded the handsome Kerala batsman as his protégé, must have been equally shaken by Samson's departure.
Furthermore, Riyan's promotion was insisted upon in spite of a Jaiswal or Jurel. Only in 2024, when he amassed 573 runs at a strike rate of almost 150 and four half-centuries, did Riyan make a major contribution to the IPL.
His strike rate increased to 166+ in 2025, when he commanded the team in several games, although he only scored 393 runs.
In addition, his captaincy during Samson's absence wasn't really noteworthy. Although Jaiswal has not yet proven himself as a leader, he is by far the more accomplished player than the Assam native.
The fact that Riyan is a middle-order batsman and Jaiswal is an opener makes it difficult to see why Dravid would choose the latter.
People who know how the Royals play also discussed how important Riyan is to the team's operations in the Northeast, even if the lineup has many more talented players. The Royals' second home field is Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati, and Riyan, a local child, has a fervent fan base there.
(PTI inputs)
