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.

See Also: 'Shocking when...'- Star LSG player seeks 'farewell' match for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma

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.

Rahul Dravid, India’s World Cup-winning coach, reflected on his early experiences with the Decision Review System (DRS), which only became a regular part of cricket toward the end of his career. Though the technology was still new, Dravid shared how it left a lasting impression on him.

Speaking on Ravichandran Ashwin’s YouTube show ‘Kutti Stories’, Dravid recounted a lighthearted incident involving the system. He described how one particular dismissal left him so puzzled that he began questioning what had actually happened on the field.

In the story, Dravid admitted that had DRS been available to him in that moment, it might have overturned the decision. Interestingly, he revealed that Sachin Tendulkar had advised him against challenging it. Looking back, Dravid humorously acknowledged that trusting his instincts over his partner’s suggestion could have worked in his favor. The anecdote highlighted both his humility and the fun side of learning with evolving technology.

See Also: Suryakumar Yadav’s wife wins hearts with supportive note for Dhanashree Verma after divorce talk

Rahul Dravid Shared Lighthearted Incident Between Him and Sachin:

The incident took place during the second innings of the Edgbaston Test, where Rahul Dravid was given out caught behind by umpire Simon Taufel. The decision came after a loud noise echoed across the stadium, leading to instant appeals from the fielding side.

Although Dravid felt certain that he had not edged the ball, the sound was so convincing that even he began doubting himself. Standing at the other end, Sachin Tendulkar too believed there had been contact. The unusual situation left Dravid puzzled, as he later reflected that DRS could have changed the outcome of that moment.

He shared, “ There was one time where I regretted not using the DRS. It was during that 2011 tour in England in the Edgbaston Test. I drove Jimmy Anderson, and I heard a noise, like a tuk, but I didn't feel anything on the bat, and sometimes as a batsman, you know it, you feel it. There was a loud noise, but I didn't feel anything on the bat.”

He further said, “ There was a noise, and Simon Taufel was a respected and good umpire; you didn't really challenge him too much when he gave you decisions. He gave me out, and I walked to Sachin and said that I didn't feel anything.”

Even Sachin Tendulkar, known for his sharp judgment, was misled in that moment. He overlooked the slight deviation that produced the sound, leaving both him and Dravid convinced there was an edge. The minor movement deceived everyone present, adding to the unusual twist of the incident.

He added, “ Sachin said, ‘There was a big noise yaar Rahul, I am sure you smashed it.' And I thought maybe yeah, it was one of those things because I heard the noise as well.”

Dravid and Tendulkar Fooled by Shoelace Sound:

Clarity came later when Dravid, having not taken DRS, reviewed the footage from the dressing room. To his relief, it confirmed he was correct—he hadn’t edged the ball. The noise that misled everyone on the field had actually come from his shoelace brushing against the bat, not from any contact with the ball.

He said, “ First thing I walked into the dressing room I said just show me the replay. Initially they showed the replay then the commentators picked up it was that shoelace, the hard part that hit the bat and created the noise, and the ball didn’t touch the bat at all.”

DRS became a regular part of cricket only a few years after Dravid’s retirement, leaving players to adapt to its complexities and nuances. Yet, as shown by the confusion even legends like Dravid and Tendulkar once faced, the system is far from straightforward. With cricket’s unpredictability and unusual moments, mastering DRS decisions may never truly be simple for players or fans alike.

Playing in England is a significant challenge, as conditions are tough for both batters and bowlers. The Indian team has witnessed some high-class and legendary performers who have showcased solid temperament and technique in the past, enabling them to sustain themselves in challenging English conditions. Indian cricket has produced some class performers, be it the bowlers or the batters, who have stood firm in tough English conditions.

In this piece, we discuss three Indian batters who have highlighted their calibre through their determined and gritty temperament and rock-solid technique to score centuries in English conditions. The batters mentioned in the list possessed different techniques, and their stroke play varied depending on their strengths of playing on different wickets and their approach against different bowlers, but these batters showcased tremendous mental as well as physical toughness to score big hundreds in what are considered the most challenging playing conditions.

These batters approached different situations depending on their temperament and had specific plans while facing different bowlers during different situations, but they showcased a resolute approach to score big hundreds. We take a look at these legendary batters in detail:

1.Rahul Dravid (6 Centuries in 13 Tests)-

''The Wall," as he was called during his playing career, showcased resoluteness in challenging English conditions with his calm temperament, patience and rock-solid technique. Arguably amongst the greatest test players in Indian cricketing history, Dravid showcased why he was considered technically strong with his effortless stroke play and his ability to score centuries consistently in conditions that favour the bowlers.

The former India skipper and coach scored 6 centuries in the 13 tests he played in England. His 217 at Kennington Oval will be remembered for generations. His timing and placement were pure class. The former right-hander will always be respected for his kind and helpful nature alongside his cricketing talent..

2. Sachin Tendulkar (4 Centuries in 17 Tests)-

"Master Blaster" Sachin Tendulkar showcased tremendous adaptability in different playing conditions in England in tests. His strokeplay also varied, keeping in mind the wickets in England that helped him score big centuries in England. The former India captain is a humble personality who is known to help others through his social work alongside his legendary cricketing skills.

 Tendulkar showcased fearless stroke play combined with his ability to play the ball late on English wickets, even though the wicket offered seam movement. When the ball swung late, Tendulkar depended on back-foot punches and classic drives. The former right-hander scored 4 centuries in the 17 tests he played in England. His straight drives will be remembered in England. His 193 at Headingley in 2002 and 177 at Trent Bridge in 1996 were classic.

Also Read: Top 5 players with the most catches in Test Cricket

3.Dilip Vengsarkar (4 Centuries in 13 Tests)-

Vengsarkar showcased all-around stroke play on all sides of the wicket that enabled him to score centuries with consistency in England. The former India captain's effortless and elegant strokeplay was praised in England when he looked at his best. The former right-hander scored 4 centuries in 13 tests in England.

Whether it was playing the square cuts, pulls, driving the ball or playing a straight drive, Vengsarkar was simply brilliant with his strokeplay. His front-foot punches against some of the best English bowlers helped him score heavily in England. "Colonel", as he was fondly called during his playing days, scored a brilliant 157 at Lords in 1982 that is unforgettable.

Playing in England has always been a challenging task for foreign players, but sustaining and performing well in those conditions highlights a player's true class. Indian cricket has witnessed some exceptional performers who achieved legendary status with their determination, hard work, and commitment. These players possessed a tough temperament, combined with their ability to adapt to challenging English conditions that can be mentally as well as physically draining and showed solid technique. 

In this article, we discuss four batters who were legends of the game and showcased rock-solid temperament and a strong technique to survive and score heavily in unpredictable English conditions. The batters mentioned in the list possessed different skill sets in terms of their stroke play, technique and their ability to adjust to changing playing conditions in England and the nature of wickets, but still these batters stood firm during pressure situations and scored tons of runs in testing English conditions. We discuss these batters in detail: 

1.Sachin Tendulkar (1575 runs in 17 Tests in England)

"Master Blaster" Sachin Tendulkar dominated the best bowling line-ups with a mix of aggressive batting and calmness. The former India skipper showcased classic shot selection with his cover drives, straight drives and cuts.

The former right-hander punched the ball effortlessly in seaming conditions and read the nature of English wickets quickly. He scored 1575 runs, registering 4 centuries and 8 half-centuries in 17 tests he played in England with an average of 54.31.

2.Rahul Dravid (1376 runs in 13 Tests in England)

"The Wall" as he was fondly called during his playing career, showed tough temperament with his calmness and patience. The former India captain showed tremendous mental toughness in challenging English conditions with his solid technique and defence. Whether it was playing the cut shots, cover drives, or pull shots, Dravid's stroke play was absolute class, laden with timing and placement. 

His ability to judge the length of a delivery was amazing, combined with his ability to anticipate swing, which enabled him to score runs consistently in England. He scored 1376 runs, registering 6 centuries and 4 half-centuries in 13 tests he played in England.

Also Read: 4 Players from ENG vs IND 2025 series who also featured in 2014 tour ft Ravindra Jadeja

3.Sunil Gavaskar (1152 runs in 16 Tests in England)

The "Little Master", as he was fondly called during his playing career, showed solid technique and footwork that stood out as compared to other batters of that generation while playing in English conditions. The former India skipper and opener got into the line of the ball quickly and managed to negotiate the unpredictable bounce quite well on English wickets that helped him score runs consistently in England.

 The former right-hander scored 1152 runs, registering 2 centuries and 8 half-centuries in the 16 tests he played in England. Gavaskar played some glorious straight drives and cover drives, which were difficult to play in seaming English conditions.

4.Virat Kohli (1096 runs in 17 Tests in England)

"King Kohli" displayed an aggressive mindset on the field, which was reflected in his batting, and the former India captain highlighted some spirited performances with his attacking approach. Kohli batted with confidence in seaming conditions and played the ball late, especially when the ball swung late. His drives and pulls were a mix of placement and power. 

Kohli punched the ball in gaps on the back foot as well as the front foot which enabled him to score consistently in England. He scored 1096 runs, registering 2 centuries and 5 half-centuries in the 17 test matches he played in England.  

Despite having an ICC T20I World Cup-winning head coach, Rahul Dravid, on the bench, Rajasthan Royals (RR) are out of the IPL 2025 play-off race, which has baffled cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar. 

The inaugural champion had a golden opportunity to defeat Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) last night, as they had to score only 18 in the remaining two overs, with five wickets in hand. Royals' batters showed very little intent to win the match, lost a couple of wickets, and got only 1 run in the 20th over, bowled by Josh Hazelwood. 

The RCB pacer, with all his experiences, bowled exactly what his team was looking for from him. Royal Challengers Bengaluru, at the home ground, batting first, scored 205 in the 20-over limit. RR, in return, was restricted to 194 for 9 wickets. From 189 runs to 191 runs, Rajasthan Royals lost their 4 wickets. Batters like Dhruv Jurel and Shubham Dubey were unable to cool their nerves, which resulted in wickets. 

Read More: IPL 2025: KKR vs PBKS Match 44- Who will be Impact Players for today's match?

When a person like Rahul Dravid, who is known for his cool, collective, and methodical personality, was on the bench, why did his Royals' students perform in that manner under pressure? Sunil Gavaskar raised the question. 

Gavaskar have some valid points 

"With Rajasthan Royals, I’m actually talking about the earlier matches where I wasn’t at the ground; I just saw them. So, you're not always able to get the feeling of what’s really happening. But here, I was on the ground, and you could actually see the kind of cricket that was being played. And with someone like Rahul Dravid as the coach, it was quite baffling; it was unthinking cricket," Gavaskar said.

"Where is the thought process there? You can’t expect inexperienced players to always get it right, but still... It’s just a different kind of cricket. Dravid was always so precise in his thinking, and I would’ve thought that kind of approach would’ve seeped into some of the Rajasthan batters."

Before the Rajasthan Royals’ important match against Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2025, head coach Rahul Dravid spoke to the media to clear up rumours about a fight between him and captain Sanju Samson. The rumours started after a video showed Sanju not joining a team huddle during a recent match. Some people believed this meant something was wrong between the coach and the captain.

However, Dravid strongly denied these reports. “I don’t know where these stories are coming from. Sanju and I are on the same page. He is a very important part of the team, and we have a good bond,” Dravid said in the press conference. He also mentioned that Sanju is involved in every decision and discussion. Dravid said sometimes when a team loses, people start making up stories, but there is no truth to them.

Watch the Video:

Rahul Dravid talking about the rumours of rift between him & Sanju Samson.

- He said "Me & Sanju are really on the same page, Sanju is integrals part of all decision making & I have good rappo with him". pic.twitter.com/XA61kokg64

— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) April 19, 2025

ALSO SEE: Not just a bowler: Amir turns finisher in dramatic cameo

Dravid Says Team Spirit Is Strong, Samson Still Part of Plans

Dravid also talked about how hard the players are working and how much they care about their performance. He said that even though criticism is normal in cricket, false stories hurt the team. “When things go wrong, we accept the criticism for our performance, but not for things that aren’t true,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sanju Samson’s injury is also a concern. He had to leave the field during the last game against Delhi Capitals after feeling pain in his side. He had scored 31 runs before retiring hurt. The medical team sent him for scans, and the team is waiting for the results to decide if he can play the next match. Dravid said, "Sanju experienced some discomfort in his abdominal region. He has got the scans done, and once we are aware of more, we will take the correct decision."

Apart from all the gossip and the scare of the injury, Rajasthan Royals are keeping their eyes set on the next match. Dravid's statement indicates that the team is one that is together and determined to perform at their best. They are hoping to continue their good season and strive for a spot in the playoffs.

Ahead of the scheduled IPL 2025 match between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Rajasthan Royals (RR), there was a special encounter when KL Rahul connected with his former cricket player and current Rajasthan Royals head coach Rahul Dravid. The teams showed mutual respect and camaraderie by enabling an emotional reunion, which occurred before the matches started during the pre-match warm-up.

As Rahul Dravid sat in a wheelchair due to his leg injury, he appeared in good spirits while exchanging greetings with KL Rahul. Through their brief conversation, Dravid delivered smiles and pleasant remarks to Delhi Capitals captain KL Rahul while displaying the strong connection shared by two cricket legends.

The meeting stood out because Dravid showed up with an obvious injury that has not prevented him from playing an active leadership role with his team members. Players of both teams witnessed him using leg braces as he communicated with them while focusing on the sports spirit above competitive efforts. Social media users gave their immediate approval to this sportsmanlike exchange, which they described as "classy and respectful sportsmanship."

RAHUL MEETS RAHUL. 💥

- KL Rahul meeting Rahul Dravid. ❤️pic.twitter.com/4U4Gy3H0vo

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) April 15, 2025

Also read: 'Udta hua gaya Punjab' - Fans react as Punjab Kings bundled out for 111 against KKR in IPL 2025

A Mentor’s Legacy Lives On

Through his roles as National Cricket Academy leader and then India's head coach, Rahul Dravid continued to guide numerous cricketers in their development. KL Rahul has revealed multiple times that Dravid has been instrumental in shaping his development as a cricketer. The field interaction between these former teammates on Monday displayed the lasting mentor-protégé bond that exists beyond their present team comparisons.

 The DC vs. RR match starts with great momentum because this off-field handshake already gained widespread approval for showing genuine sportsmanship in IPL 2025.

Former Indian team and current Rajasthan Royals (RR) head coach Rahul Dravid revealed that when he was the coach for Indian team he didn't like the concept of impact rule at all. Dravid has his say on this rule, stating the rule has its pros and cons, I agree that the Impact Player rule has contributed to making IPL even more competitive but the impact on the all-rounders can turn out to be problematic. It has certainly added a different dynamic which he shared with Sportstar.

 Frankly speaking, I was not a very big fan of the impact rule when I was coaching the Indian team, agree it makes the game quite competitive and interesting which keeps the game alive from every perspective, but with the national team, I won't agree with that because it poised some challenges. It will hit the dynamics of the game.

Read More: Watch: It’s like Dhoni with a sword – Rayudu’s comment triggers vintage Sidhu counter

You have seen that there has been a drastic rise in scoring rates due to a specialist batter coming in, which means you are still in the game. You have batters till no 8 position. This allows batters to play freely and aggressively despite losing wickets. And by this, no team is out of the contest. For me, it has me negative impact on all-rounders' perspectives, earlier you generally relied on your all-rounders to do the job for you but after this rule, their effectiveness became shorter. 

Poor Take On the Last Game

 But if you ask me what's best for the game are all-rounders, a team should develop a good all-around setup, it's about the opportunities you provide them which give the balance of players, playing the game. That's why this rule is good for leagues but getting it into the national side is a bit risky and it will benefit only certain players. 

Coming to yesterday's game RR had to face their their third loss in Ahmedabad, where batting first GT scored a total of 217 runs with the contribution of Sai Sudharshan's 82 runs. But in reply RR were all out for 159 runs, losing their third game in the league and were slipped to 7th position. 

Rahul Dravid does not make grand public statements, but when he does, they are significant. His latest comments on Riyan Parag have surely raised eyebrows. Describing Parag as one of the best batters in the lineup, Dravid showed that the team would like him to play as many balls as possible. For him, the more Parag spends in the middle, the better it is for the team.

This is not a fleeting compliment. It is a sign of intent. Dravid is a man who respects process and consistency, so his words are a reflection of the increasing faith in Parag's ability and potential. The team is no longer viewing him as a lower-order finisher. They are willing to give him a more pivotal role, probably higher up the order, where he can impact the game for longer.

For Parag, this is the defining moment of his career. He has shown talent in both domestic cricket and the IPL. There have been some innings when he has batted with a maturity that defies his age, but the consistency has been missing. With Dravid openly supporting him, he now has the stage and the dressing room confidence to put it together.

ALSO SEE: IPL Players Wishing Fans a Happy Ugadi 2025

This is also indicative of a larger change in the way India is going about T20 cricket. The focus is clearly on scouting impact players early, providing them with surety of their roles, and allowing them to play their game without the fear of making errors. Parag is that kind of a player, exactly. He is aggressive and innovative and feeds on pressure.

If he can convert this backing into performances, Riyan Parag might not just be a promising talent anymore. He could be a regular name on the Indian team sheet in the shortest form of the game. And with someone like Dravid having faith in him, the journey has a solid foundation.

Now it's all about Parag taking that step forward.

Former Indian cricketer Rahul Dravid has been emphasised for his brilliant cricketing skills and calm mannerism. After retirement, the World Cup-winning coach is spending his quality time in his hometown where an unexpected thing happened that really caused his anger to peak. 
Read More: Why White Jacket has been won by Champions Trophy Winners? 
There is a video circulating around social media where Rahul Dravid having an argument with an auto driver on the busy streets of Bengaluru. The video was taken and uploaded on social media, the incident happened on the evening of February 4.
What Causes the issue
It has been stated that the incident shown in the video is around somewhere Cunningham Road which is close to Chinnaswamy Stadium.  It seemed like a mere collision between an auto and his car. Where at first few moments Dravid maintained his calmness and tried to explain the issue, but suddenly he was out of his control. The video shared doesn't have a clear audio voice on what both are speaking about. 

Video credits: @TOIBengaluru pic.twitter.com/jJ5qnqUNxC

— चिरकुट ज़िंदगी (@Chirayu_Jain26) February 4, 2025

But there was a sudden change of reaction in Dravid's face who was trying to maintain his calmness. Later a passerby who witnessed the incident told Dravid was trying to explain to him that the mere accident was not his fault, because he didn't get time to apply his brakes so he had to apply his handbrakes. 
Read More: Will England Give A Fightback Or India Go On To Seal The Series At Rajkot
Later the auto driver accepted his mistake and that it was his fault for the collision, actually, the auto driver applied a sudden brake which was fully loaded with goods, and Dravid had no time to react but he applied his hand brakes which dented to the minor collision. His take was that Dravid would have done better to avoid it. None of them got hurt during this and no FIR complaints were lodged. 
Dravid Recent Assignment
Dravid's next assignment is with Rajasthan Besides he has coached the T20 Indian winning team in West Indies. Dravid will join the Rajasthan Royals camp soon, within the time being he is spending his quality time with family. 
 Based on this incident we have seen Dravid's angry versions on the cricket field too. Where he scored a century in tests with his angry perception. Though we don't see much of it.