In a game of cricketing musical chairs, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have reportedly approached Rahul Dravid for the role of Head Coach, after Gautam Gambhir exited to take on the role of India’s Head Coach. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah confirmed that the new head coach will join Team India for their upcoming series against Sri Lanka, which includes three T20Is and three ODIs starting July 27.
KKR clinched their third Indian Premier League (IPL) title in 2024, having struggled to finish higher than seventh in the previous two seasons. This remarkable comeback has been largely attributed to the strategic insights of Gautam Gambhir, who was appointed as the franchise’s mentor for the season. Gambhir, who had previously led KKR to their first two IPL titles as captain, was once again the driving force behind their success.
As Gambhir steps into his new role, KKR is now on the hunt for a successor who can continue the winning momentum. Among the top contenders is none other than Rahul Dravid. Having stepped down from his role as India’s head coach on June 29, Dravid concluded his tenure on a high note with a T20 World Cup victory in Barbados, where India triumphed over South Africa in a thrilling final. This victory followed a series of near misses, including losses in the World Test Championship and the ODI World Cup finals, both against Australia.
KKR is reportedly keen to bring Dravid on board as a coach or mentor for the 2025 season and is willing to offer a lucrative package that surpasses the INR 12 crore he earned with the Indian team. Dravid’s extensive coaching experience and his reputation for nurturing young talent make him an ideal candidate for the role.
Dravid has been deeply involved in cricket coaching since retiring from international play in 2012. His coaching journey began with the Rajasthan Royals, where he served as a mentor from 2014 to 2015. He also had a brief stint as Team India’s mentor during their 2014 tour of England. Dravid later took on the role of head coach for India’s U-19 and A teams, leading the U-19 team to a final in 2016 and a title win in 2018. He is credited with developing future stars like Rishabh Pant, Ishan Kishan, and Washington Sundar. Additionally, he served as a mentor for the Delhi IPL team in 2016.
