Rajasthan Royals have named Kumar Sangakkara as their new head coach ahead of the 2026 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the franchise confirmed on Monday, November 17. Sangakkara, who served as the Director of Cricket Operations at the franchise up until now, will see return to the coaching duties as the franchise bid adieu to Rahul Dravid a little while ago.

However, it is to be noted that the side will not be having a new Director of Cricket, as Sangakkara will continue in a dual role with the 2008 champions. Upon his arrival in an additional role, the veteran cricketer said that he wants the side to cross the line after long years of waiting, since RR have been waiting for their second title ever since their triumph in the inaugural edition.

"Well the goal, it always remains a constant. We want to win the IPL. How we do it will change. The other things that remain constant are your team culture, your values, and standards. That's an absolute necessity. Seasons don't always go the way everyone wants it to go or plans it to go. That's the beauty of the IPL and that's what makes it exciting. Because you are competing against nine other sides who want to win the trophy.

I know that it's been long years of waiting for 2008," Sangakkara said upon the announcement.

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Vikram Rathour, meanwhile, will now be in-charge as the lead assistant coach for the Royals. Rathour has been retained with the franchise, although with a slight change in his role ahead of the upcoming season. The bigger question for the franchise right now is how the Royals will go about their campaign under a new captain, as they let go Sanju Samson for the first time.

In all likeliness, Rajasthan Royals will be led by star cricketer Ravindra Jadeja in 2026, as the star all-rounder sees a homecoming after eighteen years. RR traded in Jadeja (INR 14 crore) and Sam Curran (INR 2.4 crore) from Chennai Super Kings by giving away Samson (INR 16.2 crore).