Kumar Sangakkara will perform the dual role of head coach and director of cricket at Rajasthan Royals (RR) in IPL 2026 , with Vikram Rathour , batting coach last season, elevated to assistant coach.

As reported by ESPNcricinfo in September, in Sangakkara's case, the change in designation is a formality, since he had performed the two roles even in IPL 2025 after head coach Rahul Dravid and RR parted ways.

Sangakkara had previously served as the team's head coach from 2021 to 2024, "a period that marked a clear rise in the team's performance and consistency," an RR statement said. While Sangakkara was in charge, RR reached the IPL final in 2022 and made the playoffs in IPL 2024.

"We are delighted to have Kumar return as head coach," Manoj Badale, the franchise's lead owner, said.

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