Rajasthan Royals are undergoing one of their most significant backroom overhauls in recent years following a disappointing 2025 IPL season. The franchise has parted ways with two senior coaching staffers — spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule and fielding coach Dishant Yagnik — adding to a wave of changes already underway.
A Franchise in Flux
After finishing ninth in the 2025 IPL table, the Royals’ management evidently decided to press the reset button. This latest move follows the earlier exits of head coach Rahul Dravid and CEO Jake Lush McCrum, signaling a sweeping structural change.
Bahutule, brought on just for the 2025 season (after working with the National Cricket Academy), now exits as the spin department gets retooled. Yagnik’s departure is more resonant: he had a long association with the franchise, first as a player and then as their fielding coach, and his exit was hinted at via social media prior to the announcement.
Reports also suggest that Varun Ghosh, the strength & conditioning coach, may have also been relieved of his duties as part of the revamp.
What’s Driving the Overhaul
- Underperformance — The team’s low finish prompted reviews of all departments, forcing leadership to reconsider coaching talent and team support structure.
- Fresh vision under new leadership — With proposals that Kumar Sangakkara may take over as head coach, it’s expected he’ll build a coaching unit aligned with his philosophy.
- Cultural reset — Frequently, when franchises decide to change direction, they prefer to bring in staff who embrace new methods rather than retain legacy systems.
- Uncertain captaincy — Capt. Sanju Samson has reportedly sought release or trade, adding pressure on the management to redefine the team’s leadership and core identity.
Implications & What to Watch
- New coaching faces & philosophies — The incoming staff must rebuild trust, camaraderie, and fresh systems in a short time before IPL 2026.
- Continuity vs change — While spin and fielding are in flux, Vikram Rathour (batting coach) and Shane Bond (bowling coach) are expected to remain, offering continuity in some quarters.
- Expect talent shifts — Changes behind the scenes often foreshadow roster moves, revamped training, and possibly a reset in how the team values roles (spin-heavy, young talent, fielding emphasis).
- Fan & stakeholder patience — Such transitions seldom yield instant results. The management will be under pressure to justify the shakeup with improved performance in the next season.
