The Rajasthan Royals franchise is currently in a state of flux, with multiple high-profile exits and ongoing speculation about the team’s future. Following the departure of head coach Rahul Dravid, another significant member of the franchise management team is set to leave, causing concern as the 2026 IPL season approaches. The situation is further complicated by persistent rumors regarding captain Sanju Samson.
Rumors surrounding Samson emerged earlier this summer, indicating that he had requested a release or trade consideration before the mini-auction. Despite reported interest from the Chennai Super Kings, no deal was finalized. The news regarding Samson’s potential departure coincided with the announcement of Dravid’s exit.
This follows the earlier departure of the team’s marketing head, Dwijendra Parashar. Now, CEO Jake Lush McCrum is also leaving the franchise. McCrum has already communicated his decision to others within the IPL administration and industry. He joined the Royals in an entry-level position and rose through the ranks to become CEO in 2021 at the age of 28. His official departure is expected by October. There was speculation about his future after he was absent from the Paarl Royals’ table during the SA20 auction, where Kumar Sangakkara represented the team. Sangakkara is also likely to take over as the head coach for the upcoming season.
These consecutive departures, alongside the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Samson, raise questions about the Royals’ stability. Recent reports suggest that the problems began after a performance review in July, following a disappointing 2025 season where the team won just four out of 14 games and finished in ninth place. These reports indicate that franchise owner Manoj Badale has since strengthened his control over operations, relocating the team’s leadership to London.
