Not KKR, Rahul Dravid set to join THIS team ahead of IPL 2025 Auction

As Gautam Gambhir embarked on a new journey as the Indian Cricket Team head coach, the Kolkata Knight Riders are in talks with Rahul Dravid about him taking up the mentor's role at KKR. These reports did the rounds but they now seem incorrect.

According to fresh reports in the media, the former India head coach is likely to head back to the Rajasthan Royals.

"Talks are going on between RR and Dravid, and an announcement in this regard is round the corner," Times of India quoted a source as saying.

Dravid joined the Royals in 2011 as captain and played for 3 seasons before retiring from the IPL. In 2014, he took over as mentor of the franchise for 2 years. Dravid then headed to the Delhi Daredevils and coached them before leaving in 2017 over 'conflict of interest'. He then shifted focus to grassroots-level cricket in India before being appointed as the director of the National Cricket Academy.

The BCCI roped him in as Team India head coach in October 2021 and ended his stint on a high when Rohit Sharma's men lifted the 2024 T20 World Cup.

One of the main reasons why Dravid didn't want to continue with that role after 3 years of service was because he didn't want to spend 10 months a year travelling, keeping himself away from the family. However, coaching or mentoring an IPL side will require just 2-3 months of his time in a year, something which will suit him well.

A mentor's position was vacant at KKR after Gambhir left and it was reported that the two might swap career roles. But it seems that Rahul Dravid is set for an IPL homecoming by returning to the Royals.