Rajasthan Royals on Monday announced the reappointment of Kumar Sangakkara as head coach for the IPL 2026 season, marking a fresh chapter in their long-standing association with the Sri Lankan cricket legend.
Sangakkara will continue to serve simultaneously as Director of Cricket, overseeing squad strategy, player development, and long-term planning.
Sangakkara’s previous stint as head coach, from 2021 to 2024, coincided with a significant improvement in the franchise’s performance.
Under his guidance, the Royals reached the IPL 2022 final and returned to the playoffs in 2024, establishing themselves as one of the league’s most competitive teams.
Reflecting on his return, Sangakkara said he was ‘honoured to return as head coach and continue working with this talented group’.
He emphasised the importance of clarity and purpose, adding that the coaching team had a unified understanding of the direction the franchise intends to take.
Strengthened Coaching Setup
Alongside Sangakkara’s appointment, the Royals confirmed key updates to their coaching staff.
Vikram Rathour has been elevated to lead assistant coach and will work closely with Sangakkara on batting plans and squad preparation.
Shane Bond continues as fast bowling coach, offering stability to the pace department, while Trevor Penney and Sid Lahiri also return as assistant coach and performance coach, respectively.
Manoj Badale, Lead Owner of Rajasthan Royals, welcomed Sangakkara’s return, describing him as a leader with ‘clarity, calmness and cricketing intelligence’—qualities the franchise believes are essential as they enter a new competitive phase.
Major Squad Reshuffle Ahead of IPL 2026
As part of their pre-auction restructuring, Rajasthan Royals completed one of the most significant trades in recent IPL history.
The franchise traded long-time captain Sanju Samson to the Chennai Super Kings, ending a defining era for RR.
In a blockbuster exchange, the Royals secured world-class all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran, dramatically strengthening their leadership group and enhancing the squad’s depth.
Middle-order batter and finisher Donovan Ferreira has also joined the side, adding further versatility.
The franchise has released Sri Lankan spinners Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana, signalling a deliberate shift towards a pace-oriented strategy supported by multi-skilled all-rounders.
Despite major changes, the Royals have retained a strong young Indian core featuring Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Kunal Rathore, Riyan Parag, and Yudhvir Singh Charak.
Overseas stars such as Shimron Hetmyer, Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, and rising South African pacer Kwena Maphaka strengthen the team’s competitiveness.
The retention list also includes promising performers Kumar Kartikeya Singh, Tushar Deshpande, Fazalhaq Farooqi, and Ashok Sharma, demonstrating the franchise’s commitment to long-term development.
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