As Kolkata Knight Riders gears up for the Indian Premier League 2025 season following their recent title victory, the potential addition of Rahul Dravid as a mentor is expected to inject fresh strategic insights and leadership into the team. Reports indicate that Kolkata Knight Riders management has approached Dravid for the mentorship role ahead of IPL 2025, aiming to fill the gap left by Gautam Gambhir’s departure, who is set to take on the role of India’s next head coach.
Media sources suggest Dravid could transition to a mentoring role with KKR after his successful tenure with the Indian cricket team concludes. This prospective move would see him swapping positions with Gambhir, who will likely step into Dravid’s shoes for the upcoming Sri Lanka tour as India’s head coach.
KKR is searching for a suitable successor to Gambhir and reportedly sees Dravid as a potential coach or mentor for the 2025 season. The management is prepared to offer enticing remunerations, possibly surpassing Dravid’s current package of INR 12 crore. 
Dravid’s Mentorship Roles
The 51-year-old Indian batting stalwart is known for his dedicated service to cricket after his retirement in 2012 and has been actively involved in coaching. He previously mentored Rajasthan Royals from 2014 to 2015 and served as Team India’s mentor during the 2014 England tour. His coaching roles extended to leading India’s U-19 and A teams, guiding them to notable achievements, including a U-19 World Cup title 2018. He has also nurtured talents such as Rishabh Pant, Ishan Kishan, and Washington Sundar. In 2016, he also mentored the Delhi IPL franchise.
After India clinched the T20 World Cup 2024 title with a victory over South Africa in the final, Rahul Dravid humorously remarked about being “jobless” from the following month, quipping with reporters about potential offers. With his esteemed stature and extensive experience in Indian cricket, franchises are eagerly courting him for roles.
Dravid opted not to continue as India’s head coach due to the extensive travel demands, which kept him away from family for about 10 months annually. However, the Indian Premier League offers a different dynamic. In the lucrative T20 league, he would only need to commit 2-3 months per year with a franchise, a prospect that could appeal to him.
Kolkata Knight Riders staged a remarkable comeback in the 2024 IPL season, securing their third title after finishing seventh in the previous two seasons. Gambhir, brought in as a mentor for 2024, played a pivotal role in their success, much like he did in his captaincy years for the franchise. Now, all eyes are on KKR management to see if they can secure Rahul Dravid as their new coach and how this move will shape the team’s management going forward.
