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RR Retention List Before IPL 2026 Auction: Likely List Of Players Rajasthan Royals Will Retain

Darpan Jain

Here’s a look at the likely RR Retention List.

Rajasthan Royals (RR) were among the worst-performing sides in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. They could only win four games and finished in the ninth position with eight points. Here’s a look at the likely RR Retention List, players who could be released, and how the RR squad might shape up.

RR Retention List For IPL 2026 Auction

Before the previous auction, RR showed ample trust in their core and retained as many as six players. However, the move didn’t work as expected, even if those retained players did well in patches. Hence, RR might look to release a few players to free up some purse and get other quality options.

Which Players Could Be Retained By RR?

Rajasthan Royals are known for backing their players and investing heavily in them. Hence, most Indian players will likely get a retention, along with the top overseas ones. Some potential names are:

Yashasvi Jaiswal – Yashasvi Jaiswal is among the best young Indian talents. Given his superior consistency, there’s no reason to release him.

Sanju Samson – Sanju Samson is their captain and has been their best performer over the years. He does all three roles simultaneously and is a complete package. Despite rumors of a trade out, it is unlike RR to sideline their face for many years.

Dhruv Jurel – Dhruv Jurel is another bright prospect, even if last season didn’t go his way. He has the game to bat anywhere in the order and can also keep wickets if Samson decides to free himself.

Riyan Parag – Rajasthan Royals have backed Riyan Parag more than any other player. He has improved massively and contributes with both bat and ball, so he must be retained.

Jofra Archer – Jofra Archer was the Rajasthan Royals’ best pacer this season. He is an all-phase bowler and among the best in world cricket.

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Final Likely players to be retained by RR

  • Sanju Samson
  • Yashasvi Jaiswal
  • Vaibhav Suryavanshi
  • Riyan Parag
  • Dhruv Jurel
  • Shimron Hetmyer
  • Sandeep Sharma
  • Lhuan-dre Pretorius
  • Shubham Dubey
  • Yudhvir Singh Charak
  • Akash Madhwal
  • Kwena Maphaka
  • Ashok Sharma
  • Jofra Archer

RR Released Players List Ahead Of IPL 2026

RR could part ways with a few underperformers to free up budget. Here’s the expected RR Released Players List:

Which Players Could Be Released By RR?

These are the key players who struggled for form or didn’t fit the balance RR wanted:

Nitish Rana: RR bought Nitish Rana as their spin-hitter, but he was mighty inconsistent. He should be released.

Wanindu Hasaranga: Wanindu Hasaranga was supposed to be a lead spinner, but his performances were nowhere close to expected. His recent returns against quality opponents in quality leagues have been dwindling.

Maheesh Theekshana: Another non-performer last season, Maheesh Theekshana might also be released due to his inconsistency. There are better options domestically and in international cricket.

Tushar Deshpande: Tushar Deshpande was slightly expensive, and his performances didn’t justify that price tag. He should be released.

Likely Full RR Released Players List

  • Wanindu Hasaranga
  • Kunal Singh Rathore
  • Tushar Deshpande
  • Kumar Kartikeya
  • Maheesh Theekshana
  • Fazalhaq Farooqi
  • Nandre Burger
Result – t20 – Singapore
Asia-Pacific Cricket Champions Trophy, 2025
Malaysia MAL

55/0

Hong Kong HKG

52/4

Malaysia won by 10 wickets

Upcoming – t20 – Basseterre
Australia tour of West Indies, T20, 2025
27 Jul 2025, 04:30 AM IST
West Indies WI

Australia AUS

Live – t20 – Rwanda
Bahrain and Malawi tour of Rwanda, 2025
Rwanda RWA

21/2

Malawi ML

Upcoming – t20 – Rwanda
Bahrain and Malawi tour of Rwanda, 2025
27 Jul 2025, 04:30 PM IST
TBC TBC

TBC TBC

Result – t20 – Hungary
ECN Budapest Cup T20I, 2025
Romania ROM

178/6

Luxembourg LUX

133/10

Romania won by 45 runs

Live – t20 – Hungary
ECN Budapest Cup T20I, 2025
Hungary HUN

168/9

Austria AUST

74/1

Upcoming – t20 – Hungary
ECN Budapest Cup T20I, 2025
26 Jul 2025, 06:30 PM IST
Austria AUST

Luxembourg LUX

Upcoming – t20 – Hungary
ECN Budapest Cup T20I, 2025
27 Jul 2025, 11:30 AM IST
TBC TBC

TBC TBC

Upcoming – t20 – Hungary
ECN Budapest Cup T20I, 2025
27 Jul 2025, 03:00 PM IST
TBC TBC

TBC TBC

Result – t10 – Stockholms län
European Cricket Series Sweden, Stockholm, 2025
Alby Zalmi CC ALZ

88/10

Jinnah CC JIHCC

163/4

Jinnah CC Stockholm beat Alby Zalmi by 75 runs

Result – t10 – Stockholms län
European Cricket Series Sweden, Stockholm, 2025
Rising Phoenix RPH

123/6

Marsta CC MAR

150/4

Marsta CC beat Rising Phoenix by 27 runs

Live – t10 – Stockholms län
European Cricket Series Sweden, Stockholm, 2025
Jinnah CC JIHCC

68/3

Alby Zalmi CC ALZ

168/4

Toss – t10 – Stockholms län
European Cricket Series Sweden, Stockholm, 2025
26 Jul 2025, 06:15 PM IST
Rising Phoenix RPH

Jinnah CC JIHCC

Upcoming – t10 – Stockholms län
European Cricket Series Sweden, Stockholm, 2025
26 Jul 2025, 08:15 PM IST
Alby Zalmi CC ALZ

Rising Phoenix RPH

Upcoming – t10 – Stockholms län
European Cricket Series Sweden, Stockholm, 2025
27 Jul 2025, 12:15 PM IST
TBC TBC

TBC TBC

Upcoming – t10 – Stockholms län
European Cricket Series Sweden, Stockholm, 2025
27 Jul 2025, 02:15 PM IST
TBC TBC

TBC TBC

Upcoming – t10 – Stockholms län
European Cricket Series Sweden, Stockholm, 2025
27 Jul 2025, 05:15 PM IST
TBC TBC

TBC TBC

Upcoming – t10 – Stockholms län
European Cricket Series Sweden, Stockholm, 2025
27 Jul 2025, 08:15 PM IST
TBC TBC

TBC TBC

Result – t20 – Gaborone
ICC Women’s Africa T20 WC Qualifier 2, 2025
Botswana Women BOT-W

143/6

Malawi Women MWW-W

78/10

Botswana Women beat Malawi Women by 65 runs

Result – t20 – Gaborone
ICC Women’s Africa T20 WC Qualifier 2, 2025
Eswatini Women EWW-W

40/10

Lesotho Women LSN-W

88/9

Lesotho Women beat Eswatini Women by 48 runs

Live – t20 – Gaborone
ICC Women’s Africa T20 WC Qualifier 2, 2025
Rwanda Women RWA-W

3/0

Sierra Leone Women SLO-W

Live – t20 – Gaborone
ICC Women’s Africa T20 WC Qualifier 2, 2025
Cameroon Women CW-W

Mozambique Women MZW-W

3/0

Upcoming – t20 – Kuwait City
KCC T20 Summer League, 2025
26 Jul 2025, 10:30 PM IST
Gujrat Cricket Club GUJCC

Super Lanka SUL

Upcoming – t20 – Kuwait City
KCC T20 Summer League, 2025
27 Jul 2025, 10:30 PM IST
Chennai Kings CA CHK

Tally Rangers TCC

Result – t10 – Johor Bahru
Malaysia T10 Bash, 2025
Fatemi Resources Cricket Club FRC

122/4

KL Gladiators KLG

108/6

Fatemi Resources Cricket Club beat KL Gladiators by 14 runs

Result – t10 – Johor Bahru
Malaysia T10 Bash, 2025
JB Kings JBK

80/4

Sky Warriors Cricket Club SWCL

106/5

Sky Warriors Cricket Club beat JB Kings by 26 runs

Result – t10 – Johor Bahru
Malaysia T10 Bash, 2025
Utkal Cricket Club UTC

78/4

Maxx Cricket Club MXC

80/2

Maxx Cricket Club beat Utkal Cricket Club by 8 wickets

Result – t10 – Johor Bahru
Malaysia T10 Bash, 2025
MR KB Putrajaya MKP

75/4

MB Malik Sports UMZ MBMS

73/10

MR KB Putrajaya beat MB Malik Sports UMZ by 6 wickets

Upcoming – t10 – Johor Bahru
Malaysia T10 Bash, 2025
27 Jul 2025, 06:30 AM IST
Fatemi Resources Cricket Club FRC

Maxx Cricket Club MXC

Upcoming – t10 – Johor Bahru
Malaysia T10 Bash, 2025
27 Jul 2025, 08:40 AM IST
JB Kings JBK

MB Malik Sports UMZ MBMS

Upcoming – t10 – Johor Bahru
Malaysia T10 Bash, 2025
27 Jul 2025, 10:50 AM IST
Utkal Cricket Club UTC

KL Gladiators KLG

Upcoming – t10 – Johor Bahru
Malaysia T10 Bash, 2025
27 Jul 2025, 01:15 PM IST
MR KB Putrajaya MKP

Sky Warriors Cricket Club SWCL

Result – t20 – Entebbe
Pearl of Africa T20, 2025
United Arab Emirates UAE

141/5

Nigeria NIG

88/10

United Arab Emirates beat Nigeria by 53 runs

Live – t20 – Entebbe
Pearl of Africa T20, 2025
Kenya KNY

126/6

Namibia A NBA

Upcoming – t20 – Entebbe
Pearl of Africa T20, 2025
27 Jul 2025, 12:00 PM IST
Kenya KNY

Nigeria NIG

Upcoming – t20 – Entebbe
Pearl of Africa T20, 2025
27 Jul 2025, 04:00 PM IST
United Arab Emirates UAE

Uganda UGA

Upcoming – t20 – Puducherry
Pondicherry Premier League, 2025
27 Jul 2025, 07:00 PM IST
Villianur Mohit Kings VMK

Mahe Megalo Strikers MMS

Result – t20 – Kabul
Shpageeza Cricket League, 2025
Mis Ainak Knights MAK

154/9

Boost Defenders BDS

155/4

Boost Defenders beat Mis Ainak Knights by 6 wickets

Live – t20 – Kabul
Shpageeza Cricket League, 2025
Amo Sharks ASS

92/0

Speen Ghar Tigers SGT

173/6

Upcoming – t20 – Trinidad and Tobago
USA Women U19 tour of West Indies, 2025
26 Jul 2025, 07:30 PM IST
West Indies Women U19 WIU19-W

United States Of America Women U19 USAU19-W

Upcoming – t20 – Trinidad and Tobago
USA Women U19 tour of West Indies, 2025
27 Jul 2025, 07:30 PM IST
West Indies Women U19 WIU19-W

United States Of America Women U19 USAU19-W

Upcoming – t20 – London
Women’s Vitality Blast T20, 2025
27 Jul 2025, 05:00 PM IST
The Blaze Women TBLZ-W

 Birmingham Bears Women BRB-W

Canceled – t20 – London
Women’s Vitality Blast T20, 2025
TBC TBC

TBC TBC

Match Cancelled

Upcoming – t20 – London
Women’s Vitality Blast T20, 2025
27 Jul 2025, 09:00 PM IST
Surrey Women SUR-W

TBC TBC

Live – t20 – Leeds
World Championship of Legends, 2025
India Champions IAC

84/2

Australia Champions AAC

Upcoming – t20 – Leeds
World Championship of Legends, 2025
26 Jul 2025, 09:00 PM IST
Pakistan Champions PNC

West Indies Champions WIC

Upcoming – t20 – Leeds
World Championship of Legends, 2025
27 Jul 2025, 05:00 PM IST
South Africa Champions SAC

Australia Champions AAC

Upcoming – t20 – Leeds
World Championship of Legends, 2025
27 Jul 2025, 09:00 PM IST
India Champions IAC

England Champions EDC

Upcoming – t20 – Harare
Zimbabwe T20I Tri-Series, 2025
26 Jul 2025, 04:30 PM IST
New Zealand NZ

South Africa SA

Live – oneday – Northern Ireland
Zimbabwe Women tour of Ireland, 2025
Ireland Women IRE-W

232/3

Zimbabwe Women ZIM-W

Likely RR Squad Ahead Of IPL 2026 Auction

Here’s how the RR squad might look after retentions and releases:

Category: Retained

Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Sandeep Sharma, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Shubham Dubey, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Akash Madhwal, Kwena Maphaka, Ashok Sharma, Jofra Archer

Category: Released

Wanindu Hasaranga, Kunal Singh Rathore, Tushar Deshpande, Kumar Kartikeya, Maheesh Theekshana, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Nandre Burger

Captaincy Status

Sanju Samson is their designated captain. While Riyan Parag led Rajasthan Royals in his absence for some matches in IPL 2025, Samson should continue as a leader.

What To Expect From RR At The IPL 2026 Auction?

With gaps to plug in their spin attack and middle-order, RR are likely to target:

  • A spin-hitter in the middle order
  • More finishers
  • Quality spinners

Potential Key Targets For RR at IPL 2026 Auction

Shivam Dube (trade): RR desperately want a replacement for Nitish Rana. A few reports suggest CSK are willing to trade Shivam Dube, and RR will benefit. Dube is a proven performer, and his game against pace has also improved.

Sameer Rizvi (trade): Delhi Capitals (DC) failed to utilise Sameer Rizvi, who is a solid spin-hitter. He has the game to be a consistent batter in the middle order, and RR need such batters. Hence, they can trade Rizvi and include him in their team.

Donovan Ferreira (auction): DC are likely to release Donovan Ferreira. Hence, RR can target him and include him. He has improved massively in recent times and will be an asset for RR.

Yuzvendra Chahal (auction): Punjab Kings (PBKS) might release Yuzvendra Chahal ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. That means RR can get him to bolster their spin stocks. Chahal has previously worked with RR and will be mighty effective on their home surfaces.

FAQs – RR Retention List

Which players could be retained by RR?

Likely names include Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, and Jofra Archer.

Which players could be released by RR?

Possible releases: Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, and Tushar Deshpande.

What is RR’s strategy ahead of the IPL 2026 Auction?

Focus on squad balance, middle-order spin hitters, and quality spinners.

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