Kumar Sangakkara all set to be head coach of Rajasthan Royals for IPL 2026: Report
In a significant development, former Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara is all set to return as the head coach of the Rajasthan Royals ahead of the IPL 2026 season. In August this year, after the sudden departure of Rahul Dravid, the one-time Indian Premier League champion side was in search of a new coach.
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In a significant development, former Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara is all set to return as the head coach of the Rajasthan Royals ahead of the IPL 2026 season. In August this year, after the sudden departure of Rahul Dravid, the one-time Indian Premier League champion side was in search of a new coach.
Now, it is believed that RR is trusting a proven face in the club in the form of Kumar Sangakkara. According to media claims, the process of building an updated squad under the supervision of the Sri Lankan cricket legend has already been initiated. Unlike a huge reshuffle, this time the franchise can take the strategy to create a core with emerging and experienced cricketers.
Sangakkara is a familiar face in the franchise who has been working since 2021. Officially holding the post of Director of Cricket for the Rajasthan Royals, the former cricketer acted as head coach for most of his tenure with the franchise. Under his coaching and guidance, the team from Rajasthan enjoyed multiple promising IPL seasons. In IPL 2022, they came too close to winning the title but finished as the runner-up. Sangakkara led RR to the playoffs in two of four seasons.
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Kumar Sangakkara back to return as Rajasthan Royals head coach
The combination of Sangakkara and captain Sanju Samson helped the team to bolster their performance in a significant way. Rajasthan Royals appointed ICC T20I World Cup-winning coach Rahul Dravid on a multi-year deal, but his stint extended only for one season. In IPL 2025, RR managed just four wins in 14 matches and finished ninth on the points table.
According to a report published by ESPNcricinfo, "The biggest priority for Sangakkara will be sorting RR's captaincy after Samson asked the franchise to release him after the 2025 season. It is understood. Samson, 30, told the franchise that he wanted a change and hence to be released."
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