The Rajasthan Royals franchise is navigating a challenging period, with a series of unexpected departures impacting the team’s stability. Following the exit of head coach Rahul Dravid, another key figure within the management has decided to leave, casting doubt on the team’s preparations for the upcoming IPL season. The ongoing speculation surrounding the future of captain Sanju Samson adds further complexity to the situation.
Speculation regarding Samson arose earlier in the summer, with reports that he sought either a release or a trade before the mini-auction. Although the Chennai Super Kings reportedly showed interest, a deal did not materialize. The news concerning Samson’s future closely followed Dravid’s departure announcement.
This follows the exit of the team’s marketing head, Dwijendra Parashar, at the end of the previous season. CEO Jake Lush McCrum is the latest to depart, having informed his colleagues in the IPL about his decision. McCrum began his journey with the Royals in a junior capacity, advancing to the position of CEO in 2021 at the age of 28. His official departure is scheduled for October. His future was the subject of speculation after he was absent from the Paarl Royals’ table during the SA20 auction, where Kumar Sangakkara represented the team. Sangakkara is also expected to become the team’s head coach next season.
These successive departures, combined with the ongoing uncertainty around Samson, have raised concerns about the Royals’ internal stability. Recent reports indicate that issues surfaced after a performance review in July, following a disappointing 2025 season where the team secured just four wins in 14 matches and finished ninth. These reports suggest that franchise owner Manoj Badale has consolidated his authority over operations, relocating the team’s leadership center to London.