Kumar Sangakkara is back as the head coach of Rajasthan Royals for IPL 2026, and will continue to serve as the Director of Cricket. The franchise announced the decision on Monday, and it has already created a lot of excitement among fans because Sangakkara’s first stint with RR brought some of the most consistent performances the team had seen in many years.
His return to the Royals comes at a crucial time, especially after a difficult season earlier this year under former India coach Rahul Dravid, who took over after helping the Men in Blue win the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Sangakkara now faces the challenge of rebuilding the franchise from scratch.
Sangakkara first joined RR in 2021, and his entry marked the beginning of a new era for the team. Before he came in, the Royals had many seasons where they finished in the lower half, struggled with leadership, and relied too much on individual performances. Sangakkara brought a clear mindset, strong planning, and a modern approach to team management. Even though RR did not always finish on top, they looked more competitive compared to the years before.
The best example of his impact came in 2022, when RR reached the IPL final for the first time since their only title win in 2008. The team had been waiting 14 long years to reach that stage again. Although they lost the final by seven wickets to Gujarat Titans, the season was still considered a big success.
