Former Indian cricket captain Rahul Dravid, the head coach of the national team, has a special connection with Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Dravid previously served as the team’s head coach for two seasons, from 2012 to 2013, after retiring as a player. Now, he is set to rejoin the franchise, showing his loyalty and gratitude to the team that believed in him during challenging times.
Before his time with Rajasthan Royals, Dravid played for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) from 2008 to 2010, scoring 371, 271, and 256 runs in three seasons, respectively. However, RCB decided not to bid for him in the 2011 auction, and surprisingly, other franchises also showed little interest in acquiring him. This situation could have been disheartening for Dravid, as going unsold in the IPL auction would have been a blow to his reputation, not just financially.
At this critical moment, Rajasthan Royals stepped in and placed their trust in Dravid, bidding for him in the 2011 auction. Dravid responded by scoring 343 runs in his first season with the Royals and continued his form in 2012, amassing 462 runs. As the captain of the team in 2013, Dravid led Rajasthan to the playoffs for the first time since 2008, despite the challenges posed by the spot-fixing scandal that saw some players banned for life. Dravid himself scored 471 runs that season, cementing his leadership and playing abilities.
Despite offers from other franchises, who were reportedly willing to provide blank cheques to secure Dravid’s services as a mentor or coach, he has chosen to return to Rajasthan Royals out of loyalty to the franchise. Dravid’s decision to rejoin the team that supported him in tough times is a testament to his character and values. It remains to be seen how Rajasthan Royals will perform in the upcoming IPL season, but with Dravid’s leadership and experience, expectations are high.
