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IPL 2025: 5 Capped Players, 1 Uncapped; RR's Retention Strategy Ahead Of Mega Auction

Sanju Samson and Riyan Parag in IPL 2024 (Source: @chinmayshah28/X.com)Sanju Samson and Riyan Parag in IPL 2024 (Source: @chinmayshah28/X.com)

The rules for the mega-auction of IPL 2025 are finally out and BCCI have made some big decisions which has created a lot of buzz in world cricket. The most important one is the six retentions per franchise with no cap on overseas and Indian players. There is also an option of retaining all six players before the auction or obtaining them during the auction via a RTM card. However, out of the six players, at least one should be an uncapped player, and it would be interesting to see how different franchises go about their retention strategy for the all-important upcoming IPL season.

The task of retaining the players become more difficult for the franchises who had a settled core in the last cycle, and Rajasthan Royals was one of them. They played the final in the 2022 season and made it to the Qualifier 2 in the 2024 season as well. They had a great bunch of overseas and Indian talent, and so let's see what would be their retention strategy.

5 Capped Players Of RR For IPL 2025

Sanju Samson

Sanju Samson is leading Rajasthan Royals from the 2021 season and has been pretty successful as well. He is also a quality batter and the 2024 season was his best with the bat where he smashed 531 runs at an average of 48.27. He is expected to lead the franchise in the next cycle as well and is the face of Rajasthan Royals. So, Sanju Samson is expected to be the number 1 retention choice of RR.

Jos Buttler

The English wicketkeeper batter is the backbone of Rajasthan Royals' batting line-up. He has played a big role in RR's success in the last few years and is an important membership of the leadership group. He is a genuine match-winner and RR would not like to let go an experienced international player like Buttler, so expect him to be the second retention choice ahead of mega auction.

Yashasvi Jaiswal

The star Indian opener is one of the brightest young talents in India. In the last few years, he he has taken rapid strides in world cricket and has formed a lethal opening pair with Buttler for RR. He is the one for the future, and is also touted as the next captain of Rajasthan Royals. So, we can expect RR to back Jaiswal and retain him through traditional route ahead of mega auction.

Yuzvendra Chahal

Yuzvendra Chahal is another important player for RR that the franchise would not like to let go. However, with the fourth retention expected to cost 18 Crore to the franchise, RR will most likely bring back Chahal through RTM card in the auction. The leggie has been their most successful bowler in the last few seasons, and his ability to deliver under varied match situations, make him a hot asset. So, expect Chahal to play for RR in the next season as well.

Riyan Parag

The talented Assam-lad was the leading run-scorer for Rajasthan Royals in the last season and has finally started to deliver on the big stage. He is now also part of India's white-ball setup and RR who have backed him through his lows, would like to retain him for the upcoming seasons as well.

However, just like Chahal, he could also be brought back into the Royals setup through the RTM option, which would be a better and a smart deal for the franchise.

1 Uncapped Player

Sandeep Sharma

As it is necessary to choose one uncapped player out of the six retentions, RR might go with Sandeep Sharma. The right-arm pacer has played two T20Is for India, but it was back in 2015, and with the rule that player will be considered as uncapped if he has not played for India for five or more years, Sandeep Sharma will qualify as uncapped player. 

The pacer was impressive for RR in the last few season and has evolved as a good death-bowler which makes him a good uncapped retention option for RR.