The Rajasthan Royals franchise is facing significant upheaval with a series of key departures creating uncertainty. Following the unexpected exit of head coach Rahul Dravid, another high-profile member of the management team has announced their departure, raising concerns as the team prepares for the 2026 IPL season. Adding to the turmoil is the ongoing speculation surrounding the future of team captain Sanju Samson, fueling further intrigue.
Rumors regarding Samson’s future began earlier this summer, with reports suggesting that the Royals’ skipper had requested either a release or consideration of trade options before the mini-auction. This gossip gained momentum, with reported interest from the Chennai Super Kings, although no deal materialized. The news about Samson coincided with Dravid’s official departure announcement.
This latest exit from the franchise follows the departure of marketing head, Dwijendra Parashar, at the end of last season. Now, CEO Jake Lush McCrum has also decided to leave. McCrum informed others within the IPL administration and industry of his decision. He joined the Royals in a junior role, progressing through the operations wing before becoming CEO in 2021 at the age of 28. His official departure is expected by October. Speculation about his future had been circulating due to his absence from the Paarl Royals’ table at the SA20 auction, where Kumar Sangakkara took his place. It is also likely that Sangakkara might return as the head coach for the coming season.
These successive departures, coupled with the persistent uncertainty surrounding Samson, have raised questions about the Royals’ internal stability. Recent reports indicate that the issues began after a performance review in July following a disappointing 2025 season, where the inaugural IPL winners won only four out of 14 games and finished ninth. These reports suggest that franchise owner Manoj Badale has since consolidated his control over operations, relocating the team’s leadership center to London.
