NEW DELHI: Rahul Dravid's unexpected exit from his second stint as Rajasthan Royals head coach has raised eyebrows in the cricket fraternity, sparking speculation that all is not well within the camp.
Former South Africa captain and IPL legend AB de Villiers has also cast doubt, suggesting Dravid may have been pushed out in a manner often seen in other leagues.
"It sounds to me like it was an owner's call, a management kind of call. They gave him an option to have a broader role in the team, which he turned down. Maybe he was upset and he wanted to still be involved in that dugout. Maybe it was his call. But Rahul leaves big footsteps behind and big shoes to fill. He is a larger than life kind of character and knows a lot about the game. I personally have spoken to youngsters before, where many speak about him having a huge influence in their careers," de Villiers said on his YouTube channel.
De Villiers stressed that while the pressure is always on coaches and managers to deliver trophies, when things don’t fall into place, franchises often start looking at alternatives for the new season.
"The coaches and managers in leagues are under pressure to produce results and win trophies. Once they don't, they start hearing from owners. We don't know the facts but given he turned down the other role, maybe he was kicked out, which is never ideal. But maybe Rajasthan have different ideas for the upcoming season. Maybe they want to shake things up a bit and move forward."
"I didn't think they had the greatest auction last time. They let go of some incredible players like Jos Buttler and a few others, which I thought was a mistake. Sometimes it's a good thing but not overly aggressive. You can let one or two go but they let a huge bulk of their team go at once. It should be more gradual," he added.
In an official statement on Saturday (August 30), the Royals confirmed that the 52-year-old, who was reappointed on September 6, 2024, on a multi-year contract, was offered an expanded role following a recent structural review. However, Dravid chose not to take up the new position.
"Rahul has been central to the Royals' journey over many years. His leadership has influenced a generation of players, built strong values within the squad, and left an indelible mark on the culture of the franchise," the release stated.
"As part of the franchise structural review Rahul had been offered a broader position at the franchise, but has chosen not to take this. The Rajasthan Royals, its players, and millions of fans worldwide extend heartfelt thanks to Rahul for his remarkable service to the franchise."
Former India skipper, who had been a central figure for Rajasthan Royals between 2011 and 2015 as both player and coach, made a much-anticipated return to the franchise last year after guiding India to a T20 World Cup triumph. However, his second stint has come to an abrupt end.
