New Delhi: In a significant development for cricket enthusiasts, the Indian Premier League’s franchise Rajasthan Royals made headlines on Friday by announcing the appointment of former India opener Vikram Rathour as their new batting coach for the upcoming IPL 2025 season.

At 55 years old, Vikram Rathour brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the Royals. This move marks the franchise’s second high-profile acquisition for the forthcoming season, following the appointment of Rahul Dravid as their chief coach.

Rathour’s credentials are impressive. He previously served as India’s batting coach, a tenure that saw him work under Dravid’s leadership. Together, they steered the Indian cricket team, led by captain Rohit Sharma, to a triumphant victory in the T20 World Cup earlier this year.

The Rajasthan Royals issued a statement expressing their enthusiasm about Rathour’s inclusion in their coaching setup. “Rathour, a seasoned cricket professional, joins the Royals’ coaching setup shortly after the franchise welcomed Rahul Dravid back as head coach,” the statement read. “This reunion promises to reignite a successful partnership that once elevated India to the top of the rankings in all three formats. Their collaboration led India to secure the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 title.”

Vikram Rathour’s cricketing career is noteworthy. He has played six Test matches and seven One Day Internationals (ODIs) for India and boasts an impressive 33 first-class centuries. His tenure as India’s batting coach from 2019 to 2023 saw him mentoring rising stars like Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, and KL Rahul through critical phases of their careers.

Rahul Dravid, now at the helm of Rajasthan Royals, spoke highly of Rathour’s appointment. “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,” Dravid remarked. “Together, we’ve built a strong rapport, guiding India to key successes. 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 himself expressed his excitement about joining the Royals. “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,” Rathour stated. “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, ultimately helping us win championships.”

With Rathour and Dravid at the helm, Rajasthan Royals are set for an exhilarating season ahead, promising to bring strategic expertise and a history of success to their campaign in IPL 2025.