IPL 2025: Rajasthan Royals appoint Vikram Rathour as batting coach

Rajasthan Royals have appointed former India opener Vikram Rathour as the team’s batting coach for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season.

Rathour joins the Royals’ coaching setup shortly after Rahul Dravid took over the head coach responsibility, reigniting a successful partnership that elevated India to the top of the charts in all three formats. It culminated in India clinching the T20 World Cup title earlier this year.

Rathour brings extensive experience to the Royals, having played six Tests and seven ODIs for India before transitioning into coaching.

Rathour served as India’s batting coach from 2019 to 2023, playing a key role in shaping the performances of emerging Indian batters. His tenure saw the rise of players Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, and KL Rahul among others.

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Prior to his India role, Rathour was a national selector and also coached Punjab and Himachal Pradesh in domestic cricket.

Rathour expressed his excitement at joining RR, saying, “It’s a privilege to be part of the Royals family. The opportunity to work again with Rahul, and now with a talented group of young cricketers, is hugely exciting.

“I look forward to contributing to the team’s vision and working toward our goal of developing top-class players for the Royals and for India which can help in winning championships.”

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Dravid said, “Having worked closely with Vikram for many years, I can confidently say that his technical expertise, calm demeanour, and deep understanding of Indian conditions make him a perfect fit for the Royals.

“Together, we’ve built a strong rapport, guiding India to key successes, and I’m thrilled to reunite with him. His ability to nurture young talent and elevate players’ potential will be invaluable as we aim to further strengthen our squad and continue building a world-class team here at Rajasthan Royals.”