Cricket

MS Dhoni's Rare Outburst: A Breach of the IPL Code of ConductMS Dhoni, renowned for his composure under pressure, rarely succumbs to emotional outbursts. However, during the 2019 IPL season, fans witnessed a rare moment when his calm demeanor shattered. In a match between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR), Dhoni's frustration boiled over due to a controversial no-ball call, leading to a breach of the IPL Code of Conduct.Former CSK teammate and current Gujarat Titans pacer Mohit Sharma recently shed light on this unusual incident on the "2 Sloggers" podcast. Recalling the event, Mohit revealed that Dhoni was already furious after getting out and was sitting in the dugout when the drama unfolded. In the final over of the match, Ben Stokes bowled a high full toss to Mitchell Santner, which appeared to be a no-ball. The umpire at square leg initially raised his arm to signal it, but quickly retracted the call, deciding it wasn't a no-ball.This reversal of decision enraged Dhoni, who stormed onto the field to confront the umpires. "We were in the dugout, shouting, 'Don't go, don't go.' But he didn’t even look back. The way he walked onto the field, (laga ki bhai sher ghus gaya hai) it felt like a lion had entered the arena," Mohit recalled.Despite his teammates' efforts to hold him back, Dhoni's frustration got the best of him as he fiercely contested the call. "He had just got out and was already furious. He wanted to be in there because generally, he doesn't leave it to others. He came, sat and all of a sudden, the incident happened. He asked, 'Did he (the umpire) give it a no-ball?' We were like, 'Yeah, he did signal.' Then he just didn't stop," he added.Dhoni’s outburst led to a fine of 50% of his match fees for violating the IPL Code of Conduct, marking one of the few instances where he allowed his emotions to boil over.

Rajasthan Royals have appointed former India batting coach Vikram Rathour as their new batting coach, reuniting him with Rahul Dravid at the franchise. Rathour, a former India opener and selector, played a key role in India's Men's T20 World Cup victory in June this year.Rathour's appointment marks a significant move for the Royals, who are looking to strengthen their batting lineup. During his tenure as India's batting coach from 2019 to 2024, Rathour played a pivotal role in the development of several young batters, including Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and KL Rahul."It's a privilege to be part of the Royals family," said Rathour. "The opportunity to work again with Rahul, and now with a talented group of young cricketers, is hugely exciting. I look forward to contributing to the team's vision and working toward our goal of developing top-class players for the Royals and for India."Dravid, the Royals' head coach, expressed his delight at Rathour's appointment. "Having worked closely with Vikram for many years, I can confidently say that his technical expertise, calm demeanor, and deep understanding of Indian conditions make him a perfect fit for the Royals," said Dravid. "Together, we've built a strong rapport, guiding India to key successes, and I'm thrilled to reunite with him."Rathour's appointment is expected to bolster the Royals' batting unit, which has struggled for consistency in recent seasons. The franchise will be hoping that Rathour's experience and expertise can help them develop a more formidable batting lineup and challenge for the IPL title.

Rahul Dravid's tenure as the Indian cricket team head coach culminated in a triumphant note as India emerged victorious in the T20 World Cup 2024 under the leadership of Rohit Sharma. Dravid's instrumental role in shaping the team's success served as a fitting redemption after the heartbreak of the 2023 ODI World Cup final loss to Australia.Post his tenure, Dravid's name was associated with several Indian Premier League (IPL) teams, with speculations of him taking on a head coach or mentor role. However, the suspense ended with the announcement of his appointment as the head coach of Rajasthan Royals, a team he had been associated with from 2011 to 2015 as captain and mentor.According to Cricbuzz, Dravid's decision to return to Rajasthan Royals was driven by his deep connection with the franchise. Despite receiving lucrative offers from other teams, Dravid reportedly "turned down offers from high-profile franchises, even those virtually willing to hand him blank cheques."Dravid's affinity for Rajasthan Royals dates back to 2011, when he was a marquee player with a base price of USD 400,000. It was widely anticipated that he would return to Royal Challengers Bangalore, where he had spent three seasons. However, RCB's failure to bid for him left him at risk of going unsold.In a dramatic turn of events, Rajasthan Royals made a late bid of USD 500,000 to acquire Dravid's services. This marked the beginning of a strong relationship that saw Dravid captain the team for the next three seasons and serve as mentor from 2014 to 2015.Dravid's return to Rajasthan Royals is a testament to his loyalty and the deep bond he shares with the franchise. His experience and leadership will be invaluable to the team as they aim to replicate their past success in the upcoming IPL seasons.

Rahul Dravid, the legendary Indian cricketer and coach, has been appointed as the new head coach of Rajasthan Royals (RR) for a multi-year term. This marks Dravid's return to the IPL after a three-year hiatus, during which he served as the head coach of the Indian men's team and guided them to their first ICC title in 11 years.Dravid expressed his excitement about joining RR, a franchise he has a long-standing connection with. He captained the team in 2012 and 2013, and served as their team mentor in 2014 and 2015. "I am pleased to be returning to the franchise I have called 'home' for a number of years in the past," Dravid said. "After the World Cup, I feel it's the ideal time for me to take on another challenge, and the Royals is the perfect place to do that."Dravid's appointment is a significant boost for RR, who have not won the IPL title since the inaugural season in 2008. Their best finish since then was in 2022, when they finished runners-up to Gujarat Titans. RR CEO Jake Lush McCrum expressed his delight at Dravid's return to the franchise. "His exceptional coaching capabilities are evident with the transformation he's driven in Indian cricket," McCrum said. "He also has a deep connection to the franchise, and we've seen that passion come through in all our conversations."Dravid will work closely with RR's director of cricket, Kumar Sangakkara, to implement the franchise's overall cricketing strategy. He will also play a key role in player retention and recruitment ahead of the upcoming mega auction. Dravid's long-standing working relationship with RR captain Sanju Samson, who came through the under-19 ranks under Dravid's watch, is expected to be a major asset for the team.With Dravid at the helm, RR will be hoping to challenge for their second IPL title. His experience, tactical acumen, and ability to inspire players will be invaluable to the team as they look to build a strong and successful squad.

Rahul Dravid Returns to Rajasthan Royals as Head CoachFormer Indian captain and coach Rahul Dravid has been appointed as the Head Coach of the Rajasthan Royals for a multi-year contract. Dravid, who previously spent five seasons with the Royals from 2011 to 2015, will begin his tenure immediately.Dravid's return to the Royals marks a significant moment for the franchise. He brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role, having coached the Indian men's U19 and senior teams, as well as serving as the Director of Cricket at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).Under Dravid's guidance, the Indian team recently clinched the ICC Men's T20 World Cup crown. His ability to nurture talent and enable players to perform consistently at the highest level is highly valued by the Royals."I am pleased to be returning to the franchise I have called 'home' for a number of years in the past," said Dravid. "After the World Cup, I feel it's the ideal time for me to take on another challenge, and the Royals is the perfect place to do that."Royals' Director of Cricket Kumar Sangakkara expressed his excitement about Dravid's appointment. "Rahul is one of the greatest players to have played the game, but what he has achieved over the past decade as a coach is extraordinary," said Sangakkara. "His characteristics as a coach will allow the Rajasthan Royals to further challenge for the title."Dravid will work closely with Sangakkara to implement the franchise's cricketing strategy. The duo will aim to build a strong and competitive team that can challenge for the IPL title.

Rahul Dravid's appointment as coach of the Rajasthan Royals has triggered a significant shake-up within the franchise's management. Former Indian batting coach Vikram Rathour is reportedly set to join Dravid's support staff, prompting speculation that Director of Cricket Operations Kumar Sangakkara is seeking an exit.According to reports, Sangakkara has initiated talks with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for the role of mentor, potentially replacing Gautam Gambhir, who recently became India's head coach. KKR is undergoing a major overhaul of its support staff, with Gambhir and assistant coach Abhishek Nayar joining the Indian team.Sangakkara has been instrumental in Rajasthan's recent success, helping the team reach the IPL final in 2022 and finish third in the 2023 season. His departure would mark a significant loss for the Royals.If Sangakkara joins KKR, it would complete a full circle of coaching changes involving him, Gambhir, and Dravid. Gambhir replaced Dravid as India's head coach, while Dravid is now replacing Gambhir at the Royals.Sangakkara's potential move to KKR would also align with the franchise's desire to strengthen its coaching setup. With Chandrakant Pandit as head coach and Bharat Arun as bowling coach, KKR is looking to add experience and expertise to its support staff.Sangakkara's decision is expected to be finalized in the coming days. His departure from Rajasthan would leave a void in the franchise's management, but it could also open up opportunities for other talented individuals to join the Royals.

Rahul Dravid, the legendary Indian cricketer and current head coach of the Indian men's team, is set to return to the Rajasthan Royals (RR) as head coach for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. This move comes after Dravid's tenure as India coach concludes following the 2024 T20 World Cup in June.Dravid has a long-standing relationship with RR, having served as their captain in 2012 and 2013, and as team director and mentor in 2014 and 2015. He also has a close working relationship with RR captain Sanju Samson, who came through the under-19 ranks under Dravid's guidance.According to sources, Dravid recently signed a deal with RR and has already begun initial conversations on player retentions ahead of the upcoming mega auction. It is also understood that former India batter Vikram Rathour is likely to join Dravid's coaching staff as an assistant coach. Rathour, a former India selector, worked with Dravid at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) before becoming India's batting coach in 2019.While Dravid will take charge of RR in the IPL, Kumar Sangakkara, who has been their director of cricket since 2021, will continue with the franchise and oversee their teams in other leagues, including the Paarl Royals in the SA20 and the Barbados Royals in the CPL.RR have not won the IPL title since the inaugural season in 2008, but they came close in 2022 when they finished runners-up to the Gujarat Titans. They failed to make the playoffs in 2023 but bounced back in 2024, reaching Qualifier 2 before being eliminated.Dravid's return to RR is expected to bring stability and experience to the franchise, which has been searching for a consistent run of success in recent years. His vast knowledge of the game and his ability to nurture young talent will be invaluable assets for RR as they look to challenge for the IPL title once again.

Former Indian batting legend Rahul Dravid, who recently stepped down as India's head coach after guiding the team to the T20 World Cup 2024 title, is reportedly set to return to the Indian Premier League (IPL) as the coach of Rajasthan Royals.Dravid, who had a successful stint with the Royals as captain, mentor, and coach before joining the BCCI, is likely to replace current head coach Kumar Sangakkara, who is being considered for the England and Wales Cricket Board's (ECB) white-ball coaching role.According to Cricbuzz, if Sangakkara leaves the Royals to join England, Dravid is the frontrunner to take over the vacant head coach position. The 51-year-old has a wealth of experience in coaching, having guided India to the T20 World Cup title and the Under-19 World Cup title in 2018.Sangakkara, when asked about the England coaching job, said, "I know my name has been mentioned, but there has been no approach. The England white-ball job is exciting, but I am happy at Rajasthan Royals."England's white-ball coach Matthew Mott recently stepped down after the team failed to defend their ODI World Cup and T20 World Cup titles. The ECB has appointed former England batter Marcus Trescothick as an interim coach for the upcoming one-day international and T20 series against Australia.Dravid's return to the IPL as a coach would be a significant development, as he is widely regarded as one of the greatest batters India has ever produced. His experience and leadership skills would be invaluable to the Royals, who are looking to improve on their recent performances.

Rahul Dravid, the former Indian cricket team head coach, is reportedly in talks with Rajasthan Royals for a potential role within the franchise. Dravid's tenure as India's head coach ended after the team's triumph at the T20 World Cup 2024, and he has since been linked with several IPL franchises.Earlier, it was speculated that Dravid might join Kolkata Knight Riders, but recent reports suggest that he is in discussions with Rajasthan Royals, his former IPL team. "Talks are ongoing between RR and Dravid, and an announcement is expected soon," a source told Times of India.Dravid's decision to leave the Indian team was driven by his desire to spend more time with his family. The IPL, with its shorter duration, offers him a more manageable schedule. Dravid has previously worked as a mentor and coach with IPL franchises, including Delhi Daredevils.As Dravid explores his options, Gautam Gambhir has taken over as the head coach of the Indian team. Gambhir acknowledged the high expectations he faces, given Dravid's successful tenure.Dravid's experience and expertise make him a highly sought-after figure in the IPL. His potential role with Rajasthan Royals remains unclear, but it is likely that he will play a significant part in the franchise's operations.