3 RR auction picks unlikely to get game time in IPL 2026

Sakshi Sharma

Adam Milne and Riyan Parag (Source: AFP)Adam Milne and Riyan Parag (Source: AFP)

Rajasthan Royals (RR) have made significant moves to bounce back in IPL 2026 after finishing ninth in the 2025 season. Rajasthan Royals focused on building a balanced, competitive squad by making smart trades before the auction and selecting key players at the Abu Dhabi mini-auction.

RR did not spend heavily at the auction but still bought nine players, including notable names such as leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi and New Zealand pacer Adam Milne. 

Before the auction, RR were active in the trade market. Former captain Sanju Samson was traded to CSK, while Nitish Rana moved to DC. In return, Rajasthan Royals secured all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, and Devdutt Ferreira (from DC).

To make room for these new additions, Rajasthan Royals released several players, including Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Fazalhaq Farooqi, and Akash Madhwal, among others.

Despite strengthening the squad, a few players may struggle to make it to the playing eleven this season. Having said that, let's take a look at 3 players who might not get a single match for RR in IPL 2026.

Kuldeep Sen

  • Kuldeep Sen, the fast bowler from Madhya Pradesh, may find it difficult to play even a single match for Rajasthan Royals (RR) in IPL 2026. Despite being acquired at the mini-auction for ₹75 lakh, he faces tough competition in a strong and well-balanced pace attack.
  • RR’s fast-bowling lineup includes top ace pacers like Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger, as well as experienced Indian pacers such as Sandeep Sharma and Tushar Deshpande. With such depth, Kuldeep’s chances of making the starting XI are limited.
  • Kuldeep's IPL journey has also been inconsistent. He played a few matches for RR in the 2024 and 2022 seasons, but did not play a single game for Punjab Kings in IPL 2025. Overall, looking at his IPL stats, he has played 12 matches and taken 14 wickets at an economy rate of 9.63.

Adam Milne

  • Adam Milne might also struggle to get game time due to the IPL’s overseas player limit. Teams can field only four overseas players, and Rajasthan already has stars like Sam Curran, Shimron Hetmyer,  Nandre Burger and Jofra Archer in their squad who might get a place in the XI before Adam Milne.
  • RR has a strong pace attack with Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Sandeep Sharma, and Tushar Deshpande. So, Milne's role appears to be providing backup for the fast bowling department and easing the team's reliance on Jofra Archer. 
  • Milne might get opportunities mainly if rotation is needed, or in case of injuries to other fast bowlers. Otherwise, he may spend much of the season on the bench.

Yash Raj Punja

  • Yash Raj Punja, brought in as a leg-spin option, may find it difficult to play regularly for RR in IPL 2026. With Ravi Bishnoi as the primary leg-spinner and Ravindra Jadeja almost guaranteed in the playing XI, competition is tough for the young spinner. Other spinners, including uncapped Vignesh Puthur, provide further depth. 
  • Considering these options, Punja might have been picked as a replacement for departed spinners Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana or as a replacement option for Ravi Bishnoi. 
  • So, if any of the spinners face injury concerns or rotation is required, then only RR can fit in Yash Raj Punja in the playing XI.