Rahul Dravid Returns to Coaching: Can He Lead Rajasthan Royals to Glory?

Legendary Indian cricket player and former captain Rahul Dravid has once more taken up coaching responsibilities, this time with the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Renowned for his cool head and strategic sense.

Dravid has a track record of success, guiding the senior squad to major victories and the Under-19 World Cup triumph. Now, his task is to guide the Rajasthan Royals to their first IPL title since their maiden triumph in 2008, a journey that has drawn attention from fans and platforms like bet pro exchange, where cricket enthusiasts follow the action closely.

A New Chapter for Rajasthan Royals

The Rajasthan Royals have always been a team that prides itself on nurturing young talent and playing an exciting brand of cricket. However, since their historic win in the inaugural season, the team has struggled to replicate that success. With Dravid at the helm, there is renewed hope and optimism among fans and players alike.

Dravid is not working on this alone. He is joined by batting coach Vikram Rathour, who brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the table. Together, they form a formidable coaching duo that could potentially transform the franchise's fortunes.

Squad Overhaul: New Faces, New Challenges

Ahead of the next season, the Rajasistan royals have greatly changed their lineup. The team has made some bold decisions, including the release of key players like Jos Buttler, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Trent Boult. Although these actions drew criticism, the royal family has deliberately swapped in younger, like-for-like substitutes.

Bowling Reinforcements

Despite the departure of senior bowlers, the Royals have managed to assemble a strong bowling unit. They have brought back Jofra Archer, whose pace and accuracy can be a game-changer.

Additionally, the team has invested in many promising Indian pace bowlers, including Tushar Deshpande, Akash Madhwal, and Sandeep Sharma. The spin department is reinforced by including Wanindu Hasaranga and Mahesh Theekshana, providing the team with a well-rounded attack.

The Royals' variety in the bowling department allows them to experiment with different combinations depending on the conditions. This versatility could prove vital in their quest for the crown.

Batting Concerns

The batting order raises some questions even if the bowling appears strong. Areas that need work are the lack of quality backup plans and inconsistent death-hitting choices. The club will mainly rely on its top-order batsmen, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, and Nitish Rana, to deliver consistent performances.

One player to watch out for is Vaibhav Suryavanshi, a 13-year-old prodigy who has been brought into the squad. While it remains to be seen how much game time he gets, his inclusion is a testament to the Royals' commitment to nurturing young talent.

Complete Brigade

Here is the whole squad for the Rajasthan Royals:

• Batsmen: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (c/wk), Nitish Rana, Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, Shubham Dubey, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Kunal Singh Rathore

• All-rounders: Wanindu Hasaranga

• Bowlers: Jofra Archer, Tushar Deshpande, Akash Madhwal, Sandeep Sharma, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mahesh Theekshana, Ashok Sharma, Kumar Kartikeya, Kwena Maphaka, Yudhvir Singh

Best XII

The best XII for the Rajasthan royals based on present form and availability could look like this:

Yashasvi Jaiswal

Sanju Samson (c/wk)

Nitish Rana

Riyan Parag

Shimron Hetmyer

Dhruv Jurel

Shubham Dubey

Wanindu Hasaranga

Jofra Archer

Tushar Deshpande

Akash Madhwal/Sandeep Sharma

Farooqi, Fazalhaq / Mahesh Theekshana

Injury and Availability Concerns

The Royals have a couple of injury concerns heading into the season. Captain Sanju Samson, who underwent surgery for a right index finger fracture sustained during the T20 series against England, has passed the fitness test for batting. However, I am still awaiting clearance from the National Cricket Academy (NCA).

Pacer Tushar Deshpande, who underwent ankle surgery last year, has been out of action since September 2024. His availability remains uncertain, and the team hopes for a speedy recovery.

Players to Keep An Eye On

Nitish Rana: A Point to Prove

Nitish Rana is a player with a point to prove. Despite consistent performances in the IPL, his career has not seen the kind of favor he would have hoped for. After moving out of his home state association.

Rana had a tough season with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), playing only two games during their title-winning campaign. He has also endured a challenging year in domestic cricket, with underwhelming performances in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. This season, Rana will try to recover and re-establish himself as a significant player.

Dhruv Jurel: Season of Breakthrough?

Another player who might have a breakout season is Dhruv Jurel. The wicketkeeper-batsman has shown promise multiple times but has often found himself in stressful match scenarios. The Royals have shown immense faith in Jurel, retaining him for a whopping INR 14 Crore. Despite not having the most outstanding T20 numbers, Jurel can significantly impact this season.

Fixture Build-Up and Run-In

The Rajasthan Royals have a well-spaced-out schedule, but they will have a lot of traveling to do. The team will have a maximum of two consecutive games at one venue, with the longest break coming after their eighth match of the league stage, between April 19 and 24. Depending on this break, the team might find great success in regrouping and planning for the last push.

Home Ground Advantage

The Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur will serve as one of the Royals' two home venues this season. Fascinatingly, teams batting first and second have played equal numbers of matches in the last ten games; hence, the toss hasn't had much of an impact here.

However, pace bowlers have struggled at Jaipur, with the venue offering the worst average and strike rate for pacers among all IPL venues in the last two editions.

To read more blog:  WPL 2025: Mumbai Indians Reign Supreme Once Again

Final Thoughts

The Rajasthan Royals are a balanced team combining outstanding young talent with seasoned players. With Rahul Dravid at the helm, the team has the appropriate leadership to navigate the obstacles of the IPL. While there are some concerns, particularly in the batting department, the Royals can go if they can address these issues and play to their strengths.