Kumar Sangakkara is set to return as the head coach of Rajasthan Royals for IPL 2026, also taking on the role of Cricket Director. He succeeds Rahul Dravid, who departed from the team in 2025. Vikram Rathour has been promoted from batting coach to assistant coach for the upcoming season. Rajasthan Royals’ owner, Manoj Badale, expressed confidence in Sangakkara’s leadership, emphasizing that his calm demeanor, clarity, and cricketing expertise will benefit the team. Sangakkara previously coached RR from 2021 to 2024, leading the team to the IPL 2022 final and securing a spot in the 2024 playoffs. For IPL 2026, RR has traded Sanju Samson to Chennai Super Kings, acquiring Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran in the process.
Shane Bond will remain as the bowling coach, while Trevor Penny and Sid Lahiri will continue in their roles as assistant coach and performance coach, respectively. Among the players retained by RR are Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shimron Hetmyer, and Jofra Archer, while Kunal Rathod, Nitish Rana, and Sanju Samson are among those released.