Rahul Dravid ended his second stint with Rajasthan Royals abruptly, just a year into his multi-year appointment.
AB de Villiers Suggests Rahul Dravid Was “Kicked Out” of Rajasthan Royals
Former South Africa batter AB de Villiers speculated that head coach Rahul Dravid may have been edged out of the Rajasthan Royals after he declined a “broader role” offered by the franchise. Dravid abruptly ended his second stint with the team, exactly a year after signing a multi-year deal.
“Rahul has been central to the Royals’ journey over many years. His leadership has influenced a generation of players, built strong values within the squad, and left an indelible mark on the culture of the franchise,” the Royals’ official statement read. “As part of the franchise structural review, Rahul was offered a broader position, but chose not to take it. The Rajasthan Royals, its players, and millions of fans extend heartfelt thanks to Rahul for his remarkable service.”
Speaking on his social media show 360 LIVE, de Villiers hinted that despite Rahul Dravid’s immense influence, management’s decision felt like he was “kicked out.” “It sounds to me like it was an owner or management kind of call. They gave him an option for a broader role, which he turned down. Maybe he was upset because he really wanted to stay involved, in the dugout. But Rahul, obviously, is leaving big footsteps behind, big shoes to fill,” he said.
De Villiers also praised Dravid’s impact on young players: “He’s a larger-than-life character and knows a lot about the game. I’ve spoken to youngsters who shared how much he influenced their careers. He will definitely be missed.”
AB de Villiers Critiques Rajasthan Royals’ Management Decisions
Former RCB batter AB de Villiers compared Rajasthan Royals’ management moves to football clubs, where abrupt decisions are made when coaches fail to meet expectations. The 2008 IPL champions had aimed to end their long-standing title drought by appointing Rahul Dravid last September, fresh off leading India to a T20 World Cup victory. However, the Royals finished ninth last season, winning just four of 14 league games.
De Villiers also felt that letting go of too many key players too quickly disrupted team balance and accelerated the franchise’s decline rather than rejuvenating it.
“Sometimes you see it in the Premier League as well, where managers and coaches are under huge pressure to perform and bring trophies home. Once they don’t, owners or decision-makers step in. It sounds to me like Dravid turning down the other role was treated like he was kicked out, which is never ideal. Maybe Rajasthan have different plans for the upcoming season. But last auction, they let go of incredible players, like Jos Butler, which I thought was a mistake. You can let one or two go, but releasing a huge bulk at once leads to a gradual decline,” de Villiers explained.
