Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru star AB de Villiers recently expressed curiosity about Rahul Dravid’s sudden exit from Rajasthan Royals, questioning whether there might have been any discontent between the two parties. His comments drew attention as Dravid’s sudden exit turned into a surprising twist in the IPL.

Rahul Dravid had joined Rajasthan Royals as head coach ahead of the 2025 IPL season on a multi-year agreement. With his immense coaching experience and stature as one of India’s most respected cricketing minds, the move was seen as a major boost for the franchise, raising hopes of long-term progress and stability.

However, Rajasthan Royals announced Dravid’s exit after just one season. The official statement revealed that the franchise had offered him a “broader role” within their structure, but the former Indian coach turned it down. This decision left fans and cricket experts speculating about the real reasons behind his brief stint.

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AB de Villiers Expresses Curiosity About Rahul Dravid’s Sudden Exit:

The first-ever IPL champions had a disappointing campaign this season, managing just four victories from 14 matches and ending ninth on the table. Reflecting on Rahul Dravid’s unexpected exit from Rajasthan Royals, AB de Villiers shared his thoughts on the matter during a discussion on his YouTube channel, sparking curiosity among fans.

ABD said, “ It sounds to me like it was an owner's call, a management kind of call. They gave him an option to have a broader role in the team, which he turned down. Maybe he was upset and he wanted to still be involved in that dugout.”

He further said, “ Maybe it was his call. But Rahul leaves big footsteps behind and big shoes to fill. He is a larger than life kind of character and knows a lot about the game. I personally have spoken to youngsters before, where many speak about him having a huge influence in their careers.” 

He added, “ The coaches and managers in leagues are under pressure to produce results and win trophies. Once they don't, they start hearing from owners. We don't know the facts but given he turned down the other role, maybe he was kicked out, which is never ideal. But maybe Rajasthan have different ideas for the upcoming season. Maybe they want to shake things up a bit and move forward.”

Rahul Dravid led India to the 2024 T20 World Cup win before joining Rajasthan Royals. His move to the IPL franchise came soon after achieving international success, raising expectations for a strong impact in the league.

RR’s 2025 IPL Auction Didn’t Impress Former RCB Player:

AB de Villiers raised questions about Rajasthan Royals’ decisions both before and during the IPL 2025 auction, particularly after the team’s poor outing in the previous season. His remarks highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the franchise’s planning and strategy. Ahead of the auction, RR retained six key players — Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Sandeep Sharma, and Shimron Hetmyer. 

However, the franchise surprised many by parting ways with several big names, including Jos Buttler and Yuzvendra Chahal. These moves sparked debate among fans and experts about whether the Royals had taken the right approach in reshaping their squad.

He further said, “ I didn't think they had the greatest auction last time. They let go of some incredible players like Jos Buttler and a few others, which I thought was a mistake. Sometimes it's a good thing but not overly aggressive. You can let one or two go but they let a huge bulk of their team go at once. It should be more gradual.”

From 2022 to 2024, Rajasthan Royals enjoyed notable success, with Jos Buttler and Yuzvendra Chahal making significant contributions. The team reached the final in 2022, finishing as runners-up, and managed to secure a playoff spot in 2024, showcasing consistency during that cycle.