Rajasthan Royals have reportedly offered India head coach Gautam Gambhir a triple role as CEO, partner, and mentor, along with a 2-3% equity stake in the franchise. However, accepting the offer would require him to resign from his coaching contract in India, which runs until the 2027 ODI World Cup.
According to sources, one of the new stakeholders entering RR’s ownership structure has proposed this unprecedented offer, giving Gambhir not just a designation but complete operational authority to shape the franchise from the inside out. The offer would effectively give him the power to make every major decision independently, making it arguably the most lucrative individual offer in IPL history.
However, the Supreme Court ruling based on the Lodha Committee reforms creates an insurmountable legal barrier. No individual can simultaneously hold a position with the Indian team and an IPL franchise where a conflict of interest exists. If Gambhir accepts, he must walk away from the national coaching role immediately.
That appears highly unlikely at this stage. Gambhir is currently midway through India’s unbeaten T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, with the team already through to the Super 8s. Walking away from an unfinished project is deeply uncharacteristic of a man who wears his heart on his sleeve. Beyond the World Cup, Gambhir reportedly harbors ambitions of guiding India through the 2027 ODI World Cup and even the historic 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where cricket returns after over a century.
His IPL credentials are beyond question: two titles as KKR captain, one as mentor, and strong playoff runs with Lucknow Super Giants. Rajasthan, which recently appointed Riyan Parag as captain ahead of IPL 2026, clearly sees Gambhir as the architect of their rebuilding project. For now, though, India remains his priority.
