Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) made a triumphant return in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL), securing their third title under the guidance of mentor Gautam Gambhir. However, now with Gambhir reportedly set to become the new head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team, KKR faces the task of filling the vacant mentor position for the 2025 season. Rahul Dravid is being considered as a top candidate for this role.
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Rahul Dravid, who recently stepped down as India’s head coach on June 29, has a rich history in coaching. Despite recent setbacks in the World Test Championship final and the ODI World Cup final against Australia, Dravid led India to a T20 World Cup victory last month in Barbados. Following the win, Dravid humorously mentioned his impending ‘unemployment’ and hinted at seeking new opportunities. It appears that he won’t have to wait long, as report claims that multiple IPL franchises, including KKR, have shown interest in hiring him.
KKR is particularly eager to secure Dravid as a replacement for Gambhir. The franchise is reportedly ready to offer a more lucrative deal than Dravid’s previous role with Team India, where he earned INR 12 crore annually. Dravid’s extensive coaching experience includes mentoring roles with Rajasthan Royals, India U-19, and India A teams, as well as a stint with the Delhi IPL team. He has been credited with developing future stars like Rishabh Pant, Ishan Kishan, and Washington Sundar.
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Meanwhile, Gambhir was in Kolkata last week to film his farewell video for KKR, signaling his imminent appointment as India’s head coach. His first assignment with the national team is expected to be the upcoming white-ball tour of Sri Lanka later this month. As KKR prepares for the 2025 season, the potential addition of Rahul Dravid could provide the stability and expertise needed to continue their winning momentum.
