Ahead of the 2026 Indian Premier League, the Rajasthan Royals (RR) are still making adjustments to their coaching staff. Following a dismal IPL 2025 campaign, the team has now chosen to fire long-time fielding coach Dishant Yagnik and spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule after CEO Jake Lush McCrum left earlier this year and head coach Rahul Dravid resigned.
With just four victories in 14 games, the team finished ninth in the standings, having one of its worst seasons in recent memory. The team’s whole structure, from coaching staff to leadership, was thoroughly reviewed as a result of the poor performance. There have already been some departures from the team; Dravid, who took over as head coach following India’s victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup, decided to leave after just one season. The departure of the former India batter and coach, who had previously been a captain and mentor for the Royals, was seen as a serious setback to the stability of the team.
Bahutule has been freed of his responsibilities. He joined the Royals last year after working at the National Cricket Academy. The team will now search for a new spin-bowling coach to take over before the upcoming season, given his time with Rajasthan Royals was brief. Yagnik, however, had been a part of the franchise for more than ten years.
In 2018, the former Rajasthan Royals batsman-wicketkeeper moved into the position of fielding coach, where he collaborated closely with players from India and abroad.
Shane Bond and Vikram Rathour will stay in their roles.
Varun Ghosh, the strength and conditioning coach, was fired, according to a Cricbuzz report. According to insiders, Kumar Sangakkara, who is expected to return as head coach, is also eager to assemble his own coaching staff. While Vikram Rathour (batting coach) and Shane Bond (fast-bowling coach) are anticipated to stay, names like Trevor Penney and Sunil Joshi are being considered as possible additions to the backroom staff.
Although a decision has not yet been made, incumbent captain Sanju Samson has reportedly requested to be moved or dismissed prior to the 2026 Indian Premier League, aside from the coaching staff. The Royals will have to choose a new manager if Samson leaves, as the team is currently going through a major reorganisation. The management will have to make a good choice because they have young talent like Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, and Yashasvi Jaiswal in their ranks.
India
