Ahead of the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2026), Rajasthan Royals announced the reappointment of Kumar Sangakkara as head coach of the franchise, in addition to continuing his role as Director of Cricket.
Sangakkara previously served as head coach of the Royals from 2021 to 2024, a period that marked a clear rise in the team’s performance and consistency. Under his leadership, the Royals reached the IPL 2022 final and returned to the playoffs in 2024, reaffirming the Royals’ status as one of the most consistently competitive sides over the period.
The Royals also confirm that Vikram Rathour has been elevated to lead assistant coach, working closely with Sangakkara on batting development, game plans and overall team preparation.
Shane Bond will continue as fast bowling coach, providing important continuity to the pace programme, while Trevor Penney and Sid Lahiri return as assistant coach and performance coach, respectively.
Manoj Badale, Lead Owner, Rajasthan Royals, said, “We are delighted to have Kumar return as head coach. As we looked at what the team needed at this stage, we felt that his familiarity within the squad, his leadership and his deep understanding of the Royals culture would bring the right balance of continuity and stability. Kumar has always had our complete trust as a leader. His clarity, calmness and cricketing intelligence will play an important role in guiding the squad into this next phase.”
Kumar Sangakkara, head coach and Director of Cricket, Rajasthan Royals, said, “I’m honoured to return as head coach and continue working with this talented group. I’m also pleased to have a strong coaching team alongside me. Vikram, Trevor, Shane and Sid each bring valuable experience in their areas, and together we are focused on preparing the players in the best possible way. We have a clear understanding of where we want to go as a group, and our aim is to build a team that plays with clarity, resilience and purpose.”
