Rajasthan Royals Appoint Kumar Sangakkara as Head Coach for IPL 2026

The Rajasthan Royals have officially appointed Kumar Sangakkara as their head coach for the upcoming IPL 2026 season. The announcement was made by the franchise on November 17, 2025. Sangakkara, a celebrated former captain of the Sri Lankan national team, previously held the role of head coach for the Royals from 2021 to 2024, leading the team to the finals in the 2022 season.

Sangakkara replaces Rahul Dravid, who stepped down from the position in August 2025 after leading the team during the 2025 season. Under Dravid’s guidance, the Royals struggled, finishing in ninth place with just eight points from 14 matches. The franchise will be looking for improved performance with Sangakkara at the helm.

In addition to the coaching changes, the Royals have confirmed the promotion of Vikram Rathour to lead assistant coach. Shane Bond will continue in his role as fast bowling coach. The franchise’s management is optimistic that these changes will reinvigorate the team’s performance in the upcoming season.

As the Royals prepare for IPL 2026, they face a significant challenge in selecting a new captain. Former skipper Sanju Samson has been traded to the Chennai Super Kings ahead of the retention deadline on November 15. In return, the Royals acquired veteran all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. With a new leadership structure needed, Sangakkara will have to carefully consider who will take on this pivotal role.

The team has retained several key players ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. Notable retained players include Yashasvi Jaiswal for ₹18 crore, Shimron Hetmyer for ₹11 crore, and Jofra Archer for ₹12.5 crore. The complete list of retained players reflects the franchise’s strategy to maintain a strong core while integrating new talent.

With Sangakkara’s experience and the recent changes, the Rajasthan Royals are aiming to bounce back from their disappointing performance in IPL 2025. The franchise’s management and fans alike will be eagerly anticipating the upcoming season as they seek to reclaim their competitive edge in the league.