NEW DELHI: The excitement for IPL 2026 is already building, and the inaugural champions Rajasthan Royals have added fuel to the fire with a major announcement. The franchise confirmed that Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara will take charge as Head Coach for the upcoming season.


Sangakkara was Royals' head coach from 2021 to 2024, before Rahul Dravid took over for IPL 2025. During his time in charge, the Royals reached the 2022 final and made the playoffs again in 2024.

Dravid had left the franchise in August this year and Sangakkara, who has been the franchise's Director of Cricket since 2021, will be returning as the head coach having served in the same role.

Fresh challenges awaits for Sangakkara

The Royals are coming off a challenging previous season and are looking to bounce back with a refreshed squad and renewed strategies. Sangakkara’s appointment as Head Coach is expected to bring stability, tactical clarity, and mentorship to the team’s young and experienced players alike.

Adding to the complexity, Rajasthan Royals recently made waves in the trade window by securing Ravindra Jadeja in exchange for Sanju Samson. This creates fresh challenges for Sangakkara, who will now need to balance the batting lineup effectively.

The biggest headache could be managing the new skipper, who carries multiple responsibilities, but Sangakkara’s experience in handling pressure situations should prove invaluable in navigating these hurdles.

Meanwhile, RR also released a total of seven players, including three overseas, ahead of the mini auction to be held on December 16 in Abu Dhabi.

Among the players released by the Royals are Akash Madhwal, Ashok Sharma, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Kumar Kartikeya Singh, Kunal Rathore, Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga.