NEWS
Follow UsAfter a successful stint with the Indian team, where he spearheaded them to a T20 World Cup title, Rahul Dravid returns to the Indian Premier League (IPL) as Rajasthan Royals’ coach. The 51-year-old was appointed Rajasthan’s head coach ahead of the season and is known for taking young Indian talents and making them superstars.
How can Rajasthan Royals line up for IPL 2025?
But with the Royals, he already has a lot of potential talents that can be made world-class.
Dhruv Jurel
Rahul Dravid handed an Indian cap to Dhruv Jurel in India’s home Test series against England. So, it is only fitting for Dravid to groom the 23-year-old further during the IPL season. Jurel was retained at INR 14 crore, which earned a lot of eyeballs surrounding his price.
In 28 IPL games, Jurel scored 347 runs, averaging 23.13, but strikes at 151.51. Last season, he showed signs of becoming a top batter, combining with Riyan Parag in RR’s middle-order, with two half-centuries. Jurel could become a core member of the Royals’ setup under Dravid’s coaching stint.
Nitish Rana
After a sour end at Kolkata Knight Riders, Nitish Rana couldn’t have found a better home than the Royals to resurrect his career. Rana is a left-hander, differentiating him from many other Indian batters in the Royals’ setup. But his secondary skill of bowling off-spin could finally bring about a much-needed balance to the RR.
Yet again, Dravid handed Rana an international debut, and yet again, Dravid could be the one to up his career trajectory.
Riyan Parag
Riyan Parag might have made his international debut under Gautam Gambhir, but don’t forget who was his saviour in his initial years - Dravid. Dravid was India’s U-19 head coach when Parag was a star player in 2018, and their reunion could do Parag a world of good.
The 23-year-old had a breakout season last time around and was close to making it to India’s T20 World Cup squad in 2024. Another season, perhaps this time under Dravid, could finally usher him into the Indian setup.
Yashasvi Jaiswal
It's obvious, but Yashasvi Jaiswal could have a 900-run season under Dravid. One thing that stunned Jaiswal last season was his weakness against short ball, an area where Dravid could turn it around for him.
The left-hander would be one of the Royals’ crucial components in the setup, and with RR having not won a title since 2008, Dravid could not just transform Jaiswal’s game but could also bring that title home.
