Not RCB! This IPL-winning team chase Rahul Dravid with blockbuster deal after RR split

Rahul Dravid ended his tenure as head coach of the Rajasthan Royals (RR) ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season on Saturday, August 30. The former India captain’s exit has sparked interest from multiple franchises, with Kolkata Knight Riders reportedly exploring the possibility of signing him.

Dravid took charge as head coach of the Rajasthan Royals after helping India win the 2024 T20 World Cup. He managed his responsibilities despite recovering from a knee injury. The Royals had a disappointing campaign in IPL 2025, finishing ninth in the points table with just four wins from 14 league-stage matches.

KKR Chase Rahul Dravid with Blockbuster Deal After RR Split

Kolkata Knight Riders are currently without a head coach following Chandrakant Pandit’s resignation last month. According to a report by The Telegraph, the franchise is considering Rahul Dravid for the position.

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The report also mentioned that KKR’s CEO, Venky Mysore, is in the West Indies for the Caribbean Premier League, and discussions about Dravid may commence once he returns to Mumbai. However, it remains uncertain whether Dravid is willing to take on a new coaching role at this stage.

"The Knights’ CEO Venky Mysore is currently in the West Indies for the Caribbean Premier League and a definite move to have Dravid on board could begin once he returns to Mumbai. However, there remains a lot of uncertainty over whether Dravid would be ready to take over a new role," sources told The Telegraph.

Kolkata Knight Riders Interested in Securing Rahul Dravid

The report further added that the Knight Riders are interested in securing Rahul Dravid on a multi-year coaching deal. However, the former India captain and T20 World Cup-winning coach wants to take some time off before committing to a new role.

KKR’s previous coach, Chandrakant Pandit, joined the franchise after the 2022 season. The Kolkata team had a disappointing campaign in 2023, finishing seventh. However, Pandit guided KKR to their third IPL title under captain Shreyas Iyer in 2024.

Ahead of the 2025 season, KKR parted ways with Iyer and appointed Ajinkya Rahane as captain. The team struggled and ended the season in eighth place. They won five of their 14 matches and narrowly missed the playoffs. The franchise is now looking for a fresh coaching setup for the next edition.

Rahul Dravid’s Second Stint at the Royals Ends After Just One Season

Rahul Dravid had stepped away from coaching the Indian team to focus on family, but he accepted the Rajasthan Royals’ head coach role due to his bond with the franchise’s owners, particularly Manoj Badale.

Dravid played a key role in developing young talent during his time with the Royals. However, his second stint with the franchise ended after just one season, as he declined to take a higher position within the setup.

Dravid first joined the Royals as a player in 2011, captained the team in 2012 and 2013, and later served as team director and mentor in 2014 and 2015. He scored 1,276 runs in 46 matches for Rajasthan Royals at an average of 29.67 and a strike rate of 110.86, including seven half-centuries.

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