Rajasthan Royals (RR) have turned back to a familiar face as Kumar Sangakkara back to RR in their coaching setup ahead of IPL 2026. After Rahul Dravid’s short-lived stint ended in disappointment, the franchise needed a replacement for Rahul Dravid who could provide both stability and direction. That’s where Kumar Sangakkara’s role in RR becomes crucial, not only because of his past success with the franchise but also because he is one of the few figures who can restore confidence in a team that looks shaken after a disastrous campaign.
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Why Did RR Need a New Coach?
Rajasthan Royals’ need for a new coaching direction is rooted in their worst season in recent memory. In 2025, despite a squad brimming with talent, RR won just four out of 14 matches and ended ninth on the table. Matches they seemed poised to win slipped away repeatedly due to poor finishing, muddled strategies, and questionable team balance. The Rahul Dravid experiment, which had started with high hopes, quickly unraveled.
Related Article：Why Rahul Dravid as RR Coach Didn’t Last — Sanju Drama Incoming?
Official Statement pic.twitter.com/qyHYVLVewz
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) August 30, 2025
Dravid was supposed to bring calm leadership and fresh ideas after winning the 2024 T20 World Cup with India. Instead, his time with the Royals highlighted deeper flaws: inconsistent batting performances, overreliance on a few senior players, and bowling units that lacked bite in crucial moments. To make matters worse, Sanju Samson’s injury mid-season robbed the team of their most dependable player and left the side struggling for leadership.
🚨 RAHUL DRAVID STEPPED DOWN AS RAJASTHAN ROYALS HEAD COACH. 🚨 pic.twitter.com/bHtRY99Kro
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) August 30, 2025
Following this debacle, the franchise carried out a structural review. While Dravid was offered a broader long-term role, he opted to move on, leaving RR in search of someone who understood the team’s culture, possessed tactical sharpness, and had the respect of both senior and junior players. The hunt for a replacement for Rahul Dravid ended with a logical candidate: Sangakkara, who already knew the franchise inside out.
Why Kumar Sangakkara Was Chosen?
The Royals didn’t have to look far for their next coaching solution. Kumar Sangakkara’s role in RR has always been more than symbolic. Since being appointed Director of Cricket in 2021, he doubled up as head coach in multiple seasons, during which RR made the playoffs twice and even reached the 2022 final. His strategic approach, calm leadership, and ability to blend experienced pros with young talent gave the franchise a clear identity during his earlier tenure.
🚨 KUMAR SANGAKKARA IS BACK 🚨
– Sangakkara will back in the lead role in the Coaching staff of Rajasthan Royals for IPL 2026. [Espn Cricinfo] pic.twitter.com/HbyHsyHcHg
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 25, 2025
During his previous stint, players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Riyan Parag developed into consistent performers under his mentorship. He fostered an environment where youngsters weren’t afraid to take risks, while senior players like Jos Buttler thrived with clearer roles. That balance between tactical precision and man-management is exactly what RR desperately needs after a season of chaos. For the franchise, turning once again to Kumar Sangakkara back to RR was not just a nostalgic move; it was a calculated decision to bring stability.
What Challenges Await Sangakkara Now?
Despite his proven credentials, Sangakkara’s return comes with a mountain of challenges. The biggest one is the Sanju Samson situation. The long-serving captain, retained at INR 18 crore before the mega auction, has reportedly asked RR to release him. Frustrated after another disappointing season and limited by injury, Samson is seeking a fresh start elsewhere. Yet, he remains the face of RR and one of the best wicketkeeper-batters in the league. Convincing him to stay, or replacing him with a worthy leader, will define Sangakkara’s first months back in charge.
Kumar Sangakkara will return to Rajasthan Royals in a lead role to lead the coaching staff after the exit of Rahul Dravid as head coach
Read more ➡️ https://t.co/HowTKfxWdy pic.twitter.com/gLXfRs7Y4r
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) September 25, 2025
Leadership aside, the Royals also need urgent solutions on the field. The middle order has lacked consistency, and finishing games remains a glaring weakness. On the bowling front, while they possess raw pace and spin options, the unit often struggled with discipline in crunch overs, costing them key matches in 2025. Sangakkara will also need to rethink the team’s identity. RR started strong in 2022 and 2023 with a brand of fearless cricket, but last season, they looked hesitant and unsure of their strategies.
Bringing back that fearless edge, without slipping into recklessness, is a delicate balance only an experienced tactician can manage. And Sangakkara, with his reputation for preparation and clarity, has the tools to attempt it.
With continuity in the support staff through Vikram Rathour as batting coach and Shane Bond as bowling coach, Sangakkara has a platform to rebuild. Yet the ultimate test lies in whether the replacement for Dravid can mend broken confidence, fix leadership uncertainties, and turn RR into contenders again.
Conclusion
The decision to have Kumar Sangakkara back to RR is both about continuity and crisis management. The franchise that once reached an IPL final under his watch is now reeling from instability, but they believe his tactical acumen and leadership can provide solutions. Much of this depends on how he handles the Sanju Samson saga, strengthens the fragile middle order, and restores a fearless style of cricket.
Kumar Sangakkara. 💗 pic.twitter.com/jBAqDP6YUE
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) April 3, 2024
Fans will also watch closely to see how Kumar Sangakkara’s role in RR evolves this time around, not just as a coach, but as the face of a potential revival. The bottom line? If the replacement for Rahul Dravid can deliver, Rajasthan Royals might yet rise again in IPL 2026.
