Rajasthan Royals appoint Vikram Rathour as batting coach

In a significant move, Rajasthan Royals have appointed Vikram Rathour as their new batting coach. This decision follows the high-profile addition of Rahul Dravid as the team's head coach, a role he took on after a successful stint with the Indian men's team, which ended with a T20 World Cup victory. 

Rathour, who previously worked alongside Dravid in the Indian setup, is known for his contribution to nurturing the next generation of Indian batters. His appointment is seen as a positive step as the Royals look to build on their recent progress.

Expressing his delight at Rathour's appointment, Dravid said, "Having worked closely with Vikram for many years, I can confidently say that his technical expertise, calm demeanor, 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."

Rathour's international playing career was brief, but his coaching skills have been instrumental in India’s success in recent years. He is eager to bring this experience to the Royals, who have shown improvement since Sanju Samson took over as captain. The team reached the IPL final in 2022, narrowly missing out on a second title since their first and only victory in 2008.

Speaking on his new role, Rathour said, "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."

With the Dravid-Rathour duo at the helm, Rajasthan Royals are hoping to build a competitive team capable of securing their second IPL title and producing future stars for Indian cricket.