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Rajasthan Royals face internal divisions after Rahul Dravid’s exit post-IPL 2025, with Manoj Badale and Sanju Samson at the center of key decisions.
Rahul Dravid has exited Rajasthan Royals after just one season (Picture credit: AFP)
A variety of opinions within the Rajasthan Royals management emerged during IPL 2025, according to a report in Cricbuzz, which seemingly laid the foundation for the sudden exit of former India head coach Rahul Dravid from the setup, after the team managed just four wins in 14 matches this season.
Higher expectations were placed on a franchise led by a coach fresh off a World Cup win with India.
Interestingly, Rajasthan’s announcement comes amidst rumours that captain Sanju Samson wants to leave the team as well.
Dravid had been in talks with the Rajasthan Royals management since July, after his trip to London to review IPL 2025. Manoj Badale, eager to keep him on board, proposed a different position, with the franchise stating on Saturday that Dravid was offered a “broader” role.
Dravid’s exit might be seen as a consequence of the high-profile Sanju Samson saga, with the latter requesting his release from the team. When a franchise’s long-standing skipper is discontent, the coach comes under scrutiny.
Samson was frustrated not just by his injury but by how things unfolded for Rajasthan in the IPL as well. However, Dravid may not be to blame for the captain’s discontent. Their relationship was typical, marked just by the usual differences that occur between any coach and skipper, according to the report.
According to the report, there were three camps within the franchise: one backing Riyan Parag, who led in some games; another supporting Yashasvi Jaiswal as the future leader and a third favouring the status quo.
While speculation points to Kumar Sangakkara, the team director, as the frontrunner to replace Dravid, nothing has been confirmed yet. According to the report, Badale has called a meeting of the entire support staff in London over the next few days, where a decision will be taken, whether or not it is announced.
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