Rahul Dravid Turned Down Blank Cheques from Rajasthan Royals, Linked to 2011 Kumble Incident

It’s Rahul Dravid again. The former captain returns for his next coaching duty in the IPL 2025 with Rajasthan Royals, a franchise he has played for, led, and guided. It comes less than three months after his ideal goodbye as head coach of the Indian side that won the T20 World Cup championship. After playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore) for three seasons in 2008, Dravid left the team. Dravid quickly forged a relationship with the Royals that is still becoming stronger now.

Even though Dravid made jokes about getting employment recommendations from the media, he had already made up his mind at some point. Dravid had a great deal of success when he tried his hand at broadcasting after giving up all forms of cricket in 2013, but coaching remained his true passion. Look at what happened to Indian cricket when he took on that job. Before ultimately bringing the country the glory it has so desperately sought, he served very successful periods with India’s Under-19 and A teams, helping to define the country’s future. The largest trophy available. The World Cup.

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Dravid needed something to help him manage work and life as his children, Samit and Anvay, started their individual cricket careers. What better job than going back to a franchise that has given him so much and is so dear to his heart? According to a Cricbuzz story, Dravid turned down blank checks from several IPL teams because he was so sure of his choice to coach RR.

What makes Dravid Loyal towards Rajasthan Royals

Startled? Well, don’t be. Dravid’s gesture is nothing out of the ordinary, if history is any guide. It was 2011. Dravid had given RCB devoted service. Dravid’s totals of 371 runs in 2008, 271 in 2009, and 256 in those early years weren’t bad, but it was clear that, at 38, T20 wasn’t his thing as he found it difficult to keep up with the format’s increasing demands.

For this reason, the RCB declined to bid on Dravid in the second IPL auction. Neither RCB owner Vijay Mallya nor mentor Anil Kumble recoiled when his identity was revealed. Dravid was about to lose out until the Royals raised the price to provide him a new place to live. Money was not a factor. When no other franchise showed faith in Dravid, RR stood by him, putting his pride in jeopardy. After joining the team, Dravid had a strong debut, amassing 343 runs in his first campaign. Following his announcement of his retirement from international cricket the following year, Dravid captained the Royals in the IPL 2012, leading from the front and amassing 462 runs.

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RR was implicated in the IPL spot-fixing incident in 2013, and three of its players received lifetime bans. Nevertheless, Dravid stuck to his game plan, smashing 471 runs with four fifties and sending RR to the playoffs for the first time since 2008. Though RR was unable to win the IPL, Dravid made sure their form was utilised. Before retiring that year, he guided them to the Champions League final. He returned to RR in 2014 as their trainer, and during Mumbai Indians’ 15-over chase of 190 runs, he had the iconic outburst and slammed his cap.