The Rajasthan Royals have made a significant addition to their coaching staff for the upcoming IPL 2025 season by appointing Vikram Rathour as their new batting coach. This move reunites Rathour with Rahul Dravid, who was recently named the head coach of the franchise. The duo, known for their successful tenure with the Indian national team, is expected to bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the Royals.
Rahul Dravid and Vikram Rathour have a long history of working together. Their collaboration began when Dravid was the head coach of the Indian team, and Rathour served as the batting coach. During their tenure, India achieved significant milestones, including winning the T20 World Cup in June 2024. Their partnership was marked by a shared vision of nurturing young talent and building a strong, cohesive team.
Vikram Rathour’s Journey
Vikram Rathour, a former Indian opener, has had a distinguished career both as a player and a coach. He represented India in six Test matches and seven ODIs between 1996 and 1997. After retiring from professional cricket, Rathour transitioned into coaching, where he quickly made a name for himself. His technical expertise and calm demeanour have been widely praised, making him a sought-after coach in the cricketing world.
Rathour’s coaching journey began with the Punjab Kings in the IPL, where he served as a batting coach. His success with the franchise led to his appointment as the batting coach of the Indian national team in 2019. Under his guidance, India reached the finals of the World Test Championship in 2021 and 2023 and made it to the final of the home World Cup in 2023.
Rathour bhi, Royal bhi! 💗
T20 World Cup winning coach Vikram Rathour joins our support staff and reunites with Rahul Dravid! 🤝🔥 pic.twitter.com/YbGvoMQyrv
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) September 20, 2024
The Reunion
The reunion of Dravid and Rathour at Rajasthan Royals is seen as a strategic move to strengthen the team’s coaching staff. Dravid, known for his meticulous planning and emphasis on player development, welcomed Rathour’s appointment with open arms. “Having worked closely with Vikram for many years, I can confidently say that his technical expertise, calm demeanour, and deep understanding of Indian conditions make him a perfect fit for the Royals,” Dravid said in a statement.
Rathour, too, expressed his excitement about reuniting with Dravid and working with the talented group of players at Rajasthan Royals. “It is a privilege to be part of the Royals family. The opportunity to work again with Rahul, and now with a talented group of young cricketers, is 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,” Rathour said.
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