Rajasthan Royals on Monday announced the return of Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara as the franchise’s Head Coach ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, reinstating him in a role he previously held from 2021 to 2024. Sangakkara will continue to double up as the Director of Cricket, a position he has occupied since 2021.
The move comes after the abrupt exit of Rahul Dravid, who stepped down following a disappointing IPL 2025 campaign in which the Royals finished ninth with just four wins from 14 matches. Though Dravid had returned to the franchise on a multi-year contract after guiding India to the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 title, a “structural review” of RR’s poor season resulted in his early departure.
In his earlier tenure as the team’s head coach, Kumar Sangakkara guided the Royals to the final in 2022 and the playoffs in 2024.
“We are delighted to have Kumar return as Head Coach,” said Manoj Badale, Lead Owner of Rajasthan Royals. “His clarity, calmness and cricketing intelligence bring the right balance of continuity and stability. He has always had our full trust.”
Sangakkara expressed enthusiasm about his comeback: “I’m honoured to return as Head Coach and continue working with this talented group. Our aim is to build a team that plays with clarity, resilience, and purpose.”
Rehaul in Royals’ Coaching Staff
The Royals also confirmed a series of coaching staff changes for IPL 2026:
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- Vikram Rathour promoted to Lead Assistant Coach
- Shane Bond to continue as Fast Bowling Coach
- Trevor Penney returns as Assistant Coach
- Sid Lahiri retains his role as Performance Coach
Eyes on a Long-Awaited Second Title
Sangakkara’s return marks the beginning of what the franchise hopes will be a new era of stability, competitiveness, and title contention.
“The goal is always constant,” Sangakkara said. “We want to win the IPL. That doesn’t change.”
Also Read: IPL 2026: Complete List Of Player Trades, Auction Date, And Key Updates
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Rajasthan Royals IPL 2026 retention
RR retained players
- Shubham Dubey
- Vaibhav Suryavanshi
- Lhuan-dre Pretorius (SA)
- Shimron Hetmyer (WI)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Dhruv Jurel
- Riyan Parag
- Yudhvir Singh Charak
- Jofra Archer (ENG)
- Tushar Deshpande
- Fazalhaq Farooqi (AFG)
- Kwena Maphaka (SA)
- Nandre Burger (SA)
- Ravindra Jadeja – trade in from CSK
- Sam Curran (ENG) – trade in from CSK
- Donovan Ferreira (SA) – trade in from DC
RR released players
- Sanju Samson – trade out to CSK
- Nitish Rana – trade out to DC
- Kunal Singh Rathore
- Maheesh Theekshana (SL)
- Wanindu Hasaranga (SL)
- Fazalhaq Farooqi (AFG)
- Akash Madhwal
- Kumar Kartikeya
- Ashok Sharma
