“Maybe it was upset” – the impressive demand of the RCB legend on Rahul Dravid's departure from Rajasthan Royals ahead of IPL 2026

The former royal challengers Bengaluru (RCB) beaten ab Villiers wondered if Rahul Dravid was upset with the Rajasthan Royals (RR), carrying its departure from the franchise. Dravid was appointed RR lead coach before the IPL 2025 season in a multiannual contract.

However, the franchise announced the departure of former Indian captain after a single season. Declaration also suggested RR's offer Dravid to ''wider position“Within the system, something that the former Indian coach rejected.

The IPL's inaugural champions endured a season to forget this year, winning only four of 14 games and finished ninth in the standings.

Speaking of the seemingly conservative RR departure from Dravid, he said from Villiers to his YouTube channel (8:29):

“ It seems to me that this was a owner's call, a kind of management call. He was given a broader role in the team, which he rejected. Maybe he was upset and wanted to be involved in this overflow. Maybe it was his call. But Rahul leaves behind steps and big shoes to fill in. He is a greater than life and he knows a lot about his play. ''

Continued:

“ The coaches and the managers of the leagues are under pressure to produce results and win trophies. Once they do not, they begin to hear the owners. We do not know the facts, but, since he rejected the other role, he may be expelled, which is never ideal. But maybe Rajasthan has different ideas for next season. Maybe they want to shake things a bit and move forward. ''

Dravid trained Team India in the title of the World Cup of 2024 T20 before taking paper with RR.

“I didn't think they had the biggest auction the last time” – AB of Villiers

AB Villiers questioned RR's movements before and during the IPL 2025 auction, months after the side supported one of the most disappointing seasons this year. The franchise retained six players: Sanja SamsonYasasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Juryl, Riyan Parag, Sandeep Sharma and Shimron Hetmyyer before the 2025 action.

However, they launched several star players such as Jos Buttler and Yuzvendra Chahal, among others.

“ I didn't think they had the biggest auction the last time. Some incredible players like Jos Buttler and a few others were released, which I thought was a mistake. Sometimes it is a good thing, but not too aggressive. You can drop one or two, but they let a large amount of their team go at the same time. It should be more gradual, '' said Villiers (through the aforementioned source).

RR was a reasonable success in the three -year cycle from 2022 to 2024, with Buttler and Chahal Interpreting massive papers. They ended up as runners -up in 2022 and qualified for the playoffs last year.