Former Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara has been an integral part of the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL as the head coach, but the recent reports suggest that he is on the verge of leaving his position to take up a new challenge with England’s white-ball cricket team. According to a recent report by Cricbuzz, the legendary Sri Lankan batter is the frontrunner to replace Matthew Mott as England’s white-ball head coach.
If Sangakkara does decide to make the move, then Rajasthan Royals is likely to bring in Rahul Dravid as their new head coach—a move that would prove to be a significant change in leadership. One of the legends of cricket himself, Rahul Dravid, comes off his role as head coach of the national team in June 2024.
Rahul Dravid does have some past experiences related to the Rajasthan Royals since he had represented this franchise from 2011-2013. Therefore, his coming back to be the head coach would sort of be a homecoming and getting reunited with a team that values his ability to read the game of cricket and qualities of leadership.
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Matthew Mott, who took charge as England’s white-ball coach in 2022, enjoyed a mixed tenure. As much as he made England the champions of the 2022 T20 World Cup, it was also marred with disappointments that included England losing the ODI and T20 World Cup titles in 2023 and 2024, respectively. Mott resigned last month, and since then former England opener Marcus Trescothick has been acting as head coach.
There was speculation about Sangakkara becoming a full-time coach with England recently; and when the question was put to him, he did not exactly rule out the possibility, nor did he commit himself.
As per Cricbuzz, Rahul Dravid likely to replace Kumar Sangakkara in the Rajasthan Royals team.
– Sangakkara might move to the ECB as England Head Coach.
Good or Bad move for RR? pic.twitter.com/ELjieuHf6t
— Sanju Samson Fans Page (@SanjuSamsonFP) August 9, 2024
“Well, I know my name has been mentioned for some reason, but there has not been any approach as such. I think the England white-ball job is an exciting prospect for anyone, but there are so many good candidates out there. I am very happy at the moment. The Rajasthan Royals experience has been very fulfilling and it’s been a job I have really enjoyed over the last four years,” Kumar Sangakkara was quoted as saying by English media outlets.
Sangakkara’s prospective appointment as head coach of England’s white-ball teams is understood to have the support of the managing director of England’s men’s team, Rob Key, who has built up a close relationship with the former Sri Lankan captain.
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Kumar Sangakkara has also developed a close relationship with England’s current white-ball captain, Jos Buttler, having played with him at Rajasthan Royals. While Sangakkara remains the front-runner for the job, another name currently doing the rounds is that of former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff. He has also emerged as a strong contender for the role. The cricket fraternity holds its breath as the situation unfolds to see who will take charge of England’s white-ball team.
