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IPL 2025: Vikram Rathour, former India batting coach, reunites with Rahul Dravid at Rajasthan Royals

IPL 2025: Vikram Rathour, former India batting coach, reunites with Rahul Dravid at Rajasthan Royals

IPL 2025: Vikram Rathour joins Rajasthan Royals as new batting coach

Former India batting coach Vikram Rathour has joined Rajasthan Royals' backroom staff in a similar capacity ahead of IPL 2025, the franchise announced on social media on Friday (Sep 20). Rathour will relink with Rahul Dravid - Royal’s new head coach, months after they guided Team India to their second T20 World Cup title in June. Their contracts expired with the conclusion of the multi-team tournament in the Americas.

Rathour joined Team India as the batting coach five years ago, working with former coaches Ravi Shastri and Dravid, respectively.

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"The opportunity to work again with Rahul, and now with a talented group of young cricketers, is hugely exciting," Rathour said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

"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, which can help in winning championships,” he continued.

Dravid, who enjoyed his stint with Vikram, expressed pleasure at rejoining with his former India backroom staff member.

"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.

"Together, we've built a strong rapport, guiding India to key successes, and I'm thrilled to reunite with him. His ability to nurture young talent and elevate players' potential will be invaluable as we aim to further strengthen our squad and continue building a world-class team here at Rajasthan Royals,” Rajasthan Royals’ new head coach added.

Plenty of work to do

It, however, will be Rathour’s second stint with any franchise in the IPL, having worked with Punjab Kings earlier.

Previously, he worked as the director of cricket at Himachal Pradesh.

Earlier this month, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) appointed Rathour and former Sri Lanka spin legend Rangana Herath as their batting and bowling coaches, respectively, for the Sri Lanka series.

Though Herath’s contract will run through till the end of the India Tests, NZC appointed Rathour for the ongoing SL series.

Meanwhile, Rathour and Dravid will work on finalising the retention list as BCCI nears announcing revised IPL retention rules.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Gautam Sodhi

Meet Gautam, a seasoned journalist with over eight years of experience in covering the world of sports. I am a self-proclaimed cricket fanatic, having a deep passion for the game a...Read More