IPL 2026 retention: List of players Rajasthan Royals might retain ahead of auction

Sanju Samson for Rajasthan Royals (Source: AFP)

Rajasthan Royals, the champions of the inaugural edition of the Indian Premier League, had a poor last season. They finished in the ninth position and could not win games from the position of strength on numerous occasions. The captaincy also kept shifting between Riyan Parag and Sanju Samson due to the injury to the full-time leader, and there were reports that all is not well in the camp.

Now, the head coach, Rahul Dravid, has also left his role, while there are reports that Sanju Samson wants to leave the franchise as well. Thus, there are high chances that Samson might not be retained, and there could be some major changes in the RR line-up for the 2026 season.

However, they still have some quality players intact, and RR would like to keep them associated with the franchise. Thus, here are the players RR might retain ahead of the auction.

IPL 2026 Retention list

Dangerous opening duo - Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Suryavanshi

Sanju Samson's injury midway through IPL 2025 provided Vaibhav Suryavanshi his maiden chance on the big stage, and the kid grabbed it with both hands. He smashed a 35-ball century against GT and formed a lethal opening pair with Yashasvi Jaiswal. Such was his impact that when Samson returned to the XI, he batted at 3 to accommodate Suryavanshi.

The 14-year-old has done well after IPL, too, while Yashasvi Jaiswal has been brilliant for them at the top in the last few years. Thus, RR have a young and dynamic opening duo, and it could serve them well in the next season.

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RR need to be ready for life after Sanju Samson

Sanju Samson has been the poster boy of the Rajasthan Royals for a long time now. He took the franchise to the final of the 2022 edition but injury halted his progress in the 2025 season. He was reportedly not happy with some of the decisions in the auction and during the season and seems likely to move on from the franchise.

Also, with the presence of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Suryavanshi at the top for RR, Samson would have to bat at 3, which he would not like to do, given his success as an opener in T20Is. Thus, he is not likely to be in the retained list and RR would have to fill the leadership and batting stalwart void in the auction.

Desperate requirement for finisher

Shimron Hetmyer failed miserably in IPL 2025 and could not finish some straightforward chases. Thus, RR would like to free up 11 crore by leaving Hetmyer and search for a new finisher or an all-rounder in the lower middle order role.

They also need a player in the lower order who can tonk the ball in the final overs. Thus, RR would have to fill the gap in the lower middle order with some quality buys in the auction.

Quality spinners and death bowler

Rajasthan Royals opted for the Sri Lankan spin duo of Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana in the last season. However, neither of them could make an impact, and RR might release them. Thus, it will be important for RR to grab some reliable spin options to be more effective with the ball in the middle overs.

In the pace department, RR have Jofra Archer, who is a gun bowler with the new ball. However, he has been expensive at the death, and death-bowling turned out to be a big problem for Rajasthan in the 2025 season. Thus, would look to grab a bowler who can deliver for them in crunch moments at the death, which might help them close out more matches in the upcoming season.

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