In an exciting development for Rajasthan Royals, the franchise has appointed former Indian batting coach Vikram Rathour as their new batting coach for the upcoming IPL 2025 season. This appointment comes on the heels of the team’s earlier announcement of Rahul Dravid as head coach, marking the reunion of the duo who played a significant role in India’s recent successes on the international stage.
A Reunion of Cricketing Minds
Rathour and Dravid previously worked together as part of the Indian national team’s coaching setup. During their tenure, India achieved several remarkable victories, most notably the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 triumph in Barbados. Their combined expertise in nurturing young talent and guiding the team through challenging situations earned widespread recognition. Rathour, in particular, has been praised for shaping the careers of emerging stars like Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, and KL Rahul during his tenure as India’s batting coach from 2019 to 2023.
Speaking about his new role with Rajasthan Royals, Rathour expressed his excitement about the reunion with Dravid and the opportunity to work with a fresh group of talented cricketers. He highlighted the franchise’s vision of developing top-class players for both the Royals and Indian cricket as a whole. This emphasis on youth development aligns with Rathour’s legacy, which includes fostering the growth of some of India’s brightest batting talents.
Rahul Dravid’s Role and Praise
Dravid, the newly appointed head coach of Rajasthan Royals, also shared his enthusiasm about working with Rathour again. Dravid lauded Rathour’s technical expertise, calm demeanor, and his deep understanding of Indian cricketing conditions, all of which make him an ideal fit for the Royals. Dravid believes Rathour’s ability to nurture young talent will be crucial as they work toward building a stronger, more competitive squad for the IPL 2025 season.
Together, Rathour and Dravid are expected to bring the same level of strategic thinking, discipline, and mentorship that characterized their time with the Indian team. This partnership is anticipated to elevate Rajasthan Royals’ performance, particularly in batting, an area where the franchise has historically shown potential but struggled with consistency in crucial matches.
Rathour’s Coaching Journey
Before joining Rajasthan Royals, Vikram Rathour had a distinguished coaching career at both the domestic and international levels. After retiring as a player—having represented India in six Tests and seven ODIs—Rathour transitioned into coaching, where he made a significant impact. Apart from his role as India’s batting coach, Rathour also served as a national selector and coached domestic teams like Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. His tenure with India saw notable highs, including the historic Test series win against Australia in 2020-21.
Rathour’s coaching philosophy revolves around improving technical aspects of batting while allowing players to express their natural game. His calm and composed approach has earned him respect from players and colleagues alike. With Rajasthan Royals boasting a mix of young and experienced talent, Rathour’s ability to bridge that gap and extract the best from each player will be critical.
Royals’ Ambition for IPL 2025
The upcoming IPL season represents a fresh start for Rajasthan Royals, with a revamped coaching staff and renewed focus on strengthening their squad. The franchise has always been known for nurturing young talent, and with the combined leadership of Rahul Dravid and Vikram Rathour, they are well-positioned to build a formidable team for the future.
Both Dravid and Rathour share a vision of creating a winning culture while continuing to develop world-class players. Their previous collaboration with India proved successful, and fans of Rajasthan Royals will be hoping that the same magic can now be replicated at the IPL level.
As the IPL 2025 season approaches, excitement is building around the team’s prospects. With two of India’s most respected cricketing minds at the helm, Rajasthan Royals are expected to be strong contenders, particularly in the batting department, where Rathour’s expertise will undoubtedly play a crucial role.
In conclusion, the reunion of Vikram Rathour and Rahul Dravid at Rajasthan Royals has set high expectations for the IPL 2025 season. Their combined experience, technical knowledge, and proven track record of success make this a partnership to watch as the Royals aim for IPL glory.