Rajasthan Royals embarks on the 2026 season following one of the most dramatic squad transformations in recent IPL history.
The inaugural champions have orchestrated a bold trade sending longtime captain Sanju Samson to Chennai Super Kings while welcoming back franchise legend Ravindra Jadeja alongside star all-rounder Sam Curran.
This strategic rebuild combines championship experience with youthful exuberance as RR seeks to recapture the magic that delivered their historic 2008 triumph.
Discover how Rajasthan Royals executed one of IPL’s boldest squad overhauls through strategic trading and focused auction approach for the 2026 season.
Rajasthan Royals 2026 Complete Squad Overview
Here is the complete list of Rajasthan Royals 2026 squad players. By clicking on any player’s name, you can read about their detailed biography, career stats, and net worth information.
| Player Name | Role | Country | Status | Price (₹ Crores) |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | Batsman | India | Retained | – |
| Vaibhav Suryavanshi | Batsman | India | Retained | – |
| Shubham Dubey | Batsman | India | Retained | – |
| Dhruv Jurel | WK-Batsman | India | Retained | – |
| Riyan Parag | Batsman | India | Retained | – |
| Shimron Hetmyer | Batsman | West Indies | Retained | – |
| Lhuan-dre Pretorius | Batsman | South Africa | Retained | – |
| Donovan Ferreira | WK-Batsman | South Africa | Traded | – |
| Aman Rao Perala | Batsman | India | Auction Buy | 0.30 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | All-Rounder | India | Traded | – |
| Sam Curran | All-Rounder | England | Traded | – |
| Yudhvir Singh | All-Rounder | India | Retained | – |
| Ravi Singh | All-Rounder | India | Auction Buy | 0.95 |
| Brijesh Sharma | All-Rounder | India | Auction Buy | 0.30 |
| Ravi Bishnoi | Spinner | India | Auction Buy | 7.20 |
| Vignesh Puthur | Spinner | India | Auction Buy | 0.30 |
| Sandeep Sharma | Fast Bowler | India | Retained | – |
| Tushar Deshpande | Fast Bowler | India | Retained | – |
| Jofra Archer | Fast Bowler | England | Retained | – |
| Adam Milne | Fast Bowler | New Zealand | Auction Buy | 2.40 |
| Kuldeep Sen | Fast Bowler | India | Auction Buy | 0.75 |
| Kwena Maphaka | Fast Bowler | South Africa | Retained | – |
| Nandre Burger | Fast Bowler | South Africa | Retained | – |
| Sushant Mishra | Fast Bowler | India | Auction Buy | 0.90 |
| Yash Raj Punja | Fast Bowler | India | Auction Buy | 0.30 |
Squad Statistics:
- Total Players: 25 (17 Indians, 8 Overseas)
- Captain: Expected to be Ravindra Jadeja
- Coach: Kumar Sangakkara
- Home Ground: Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur
- Auction Investment: ₹13.40 Crores
- IPL Championships: 1 (2008)
RR Captain 2026
While no official announcement has been made, AI predictions suggest Ravindra Jadeja as captain due to his vast experience following the trade that brought him back to his original franchise.
The 36-year-old all-rounder returns to Rajasthan after 17 years, bringing championship pedigree and proven leadership credentials.
Jadeja’s Homecoming Significance: For Ravindra Jadeja, this move represents a heartfelt homecoming as one of the brightest young stars unearthed by Rajasthan Royals during their title-winning 2008 campaign. His emotional connection to the franchise adds deeper meaning to the leadership transition.
Leadership Credentials:
- Age: 36 years
- IPL Experience: 240+ matches, championship-winning mentality
- All-Round Impact: Batting finisher, wicket-taking spinner, exceptional fielder
- Captaincy Experience: Led India across formats, proven tactical acumen
- Franchise Legacy: Part of RR’s historic 2008 championship triumph
Jadeja’s Return Statement: “Rajasthan Royals gave me my first platform and my first taste of victory. Coming back feels special – it’s not just a team for me, it’s home”, reflecting his deep emotional investment in franchise success.
Rajasthan IPL Team New Players 2026
Rajasthan Royals bought nine players, headlined by the standout acquisition of leg-break bowler Ravi Bishnoi at the auction while executing major pre-auction trades that reshaped their core structure.
Major Trade Acquisitions:
| Player | Country | Role | From | Strategic Value |
| Ravindra Jadeja | India | All-Rounder | CSK | Returns as one of world cricket’s most complete all-rounders – symbol of excellence, consistency and leadership |
| Sam Curran | England | All-Rounder | CSK | Dynamic all-rounder renowned for versatility and fearless approach with bat and ball |
| Donovan Ferreira | South Africa | WK-Batsman | DC | Provides power-hitting and wicket-keeping cover |
Auction Acquisitions:
| Player | Country | Role | Price | Strategic Impact |
| Ravi Bishnoi | India | Spinner | ₹7.20 cr | Leg-break bowler secured after outbidding Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad |
| Adam Milne | New Zealand | Fast Bowler | ₹2.40 cr | Filled remaining overseas slot with 65 wickets in 56 T20Is for New Zealand |
| Kuldeep Sen | India | Fast Bowler | ₹0.75 cr | Returns to RR after season away, previously part of 2022 runners-up squad |
Focused Bowling Investment: The Royals further bolstered their bowling arsenal by securing services of Sushant Mishra, Yash Raj Punja, Brijesh Sharma and Vignesh Puthur, demonstrating clear strategic emphasis on bowling depth.
RR Retained Players 2026
Rajasthan Royals retained 13 players – eight Indians and five overseas before executing their transformative trades. The retention strategy prioritized young batting talent and established bowling options.
- Youth-Focused Batting Core: The team kept their star batters, including 14-year viral sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Dhruv Jurel. This investment in youth represents RR’s commitment to long-term development.
- Established Overseas Talent: Players like Shimron Hetmyer and Jofra Archer (when fit) provide proven IPL quality, while emerging talents like Kwena Maphaka and Nandre Burger represent future potential.
- Bowling Foundation: The retained bowling group features experienced campaigners like Sandeep Sharma and Tushar Deshpande, providing the foundation for their strengthened pace attack.
Rajasthan Franchise Released Players 2026
Released players include Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Akash Madhwal, Ashok Sharma, Kumar Kartikeya, Kunal Singh Rathore alongside major trades. These strategic releases created budget space for targeted acquisitions.
- Captain’s Departure: Sanju Samson traded to Chennai Super Kings represents the most significant change, ending his eight-year association with the franchise while bringing valuable assets in return.
- Spin Department Overhaul: The release of Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana made way for Ravi Bishnoi’s acquisition, signaling a shift toward Indian spin resources.
- Strategic Roster Management: Nitish Rana traded to Delhi Capitals as part of the broader restructuring that brought Donovan Ferreira to Jaipur, optimizing middle-order balance.
RR Playing 11 2026
The Rajasthan cricket team possesses remarkable flexibility through their diverse squad construction. Multiple formation options enable tactical adaptation based on conditions and strategic requirements.
Most Probable Starting XI:
- Yashasvi Jaiswal – Left-handed opener, proven IPL performer with explosive capability
- Vaibhav Suryavanshi – 14-year sensation paired with Jaiswal as openers, representing youth investment
- Riyan Parag – Dynamic middle-order batsman, improved significantly over recent seasons
- Shimron Hetmyer – West Indian power-hitter, proven finisher in IPL conditions
- Dhruv Jurel – Wicket-keeper batsman, emerging Indian talent with solid technique
- Ravindra Jadeja – Captain providing experience, game awareness, and left-arm spin
- Sam Curran – Ability to swing new ball and bat with freedom down the order adds crucial balance
- Ravi Bishnoi – Ability to attack in middle overs and pick wickets on flat pitches makes him indispensable
- Jofra Archer – If fit, remains one of the most feared bowlers in the league
- Tushar Deshpande – Indian pace specialist providing death bowling options
- Sandeep Sharma – Experienced swing bowler, new ball specialist
Alternative Combinations: Nandre Burger gives Rajasthan raw pace, bounce, and death-overs control when additional pace variety is required. Adam Milne offers overseas pace alternatives.
Rajasthan Cricket Team Home Ground
Sawai Mansingh Stadium Jaipur Advantages:
- Location: Jaipur, Rajasthan
- Capacity: 30,000
- Pitch Characteristics: Generally batting-friendly with good bounce
- Cultural Heritage: Royal Rajasthani atmosphere, passionate fan support
The venue serves as headquarters for the 2008 IPL champions, where Rajasthan hopes to recreate their historic championship magic with the revamped squad.
Rajasthan IPL Franchise Historical Performance
| Season | Captain | Wins | Losses | Position | Notable Achievement |
| 2008 | Shane Warne | 11 | 3 | Winner | Inaugural IPL Champions |
| 2022 | Sanju Samson | 9 | 5 | 2nd Place | Lost final to Gujarat Titans |
| 2025 | Sanju Samson | 6 | 8 | 9th Place | Missed playoffs |
RR finished ninth last season and will hope their balanced mix helps them bounce back strongly. The franchise seeks to bridge the gap between their championship past and title-contending future.
Why RR Can Win IPL 2026
Rajasthan Cricket Team Strengths:
- Squad blends explosive youth, proven international quality, and serious bowling firepower
- Revolutionary trades brought championship experience without destroying core identity
- Exceptional balance between batting flair and bowling variety across departments
- Strong leadership potential with Jadeja’s emotional connection to franchise success
- Strategic squad depth providing tactical flexibility for different conditions
Transformation Benefits: Trading in Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran instantly altered the balance, giving two proven, multi-dimensional performers who thrive under pressure. This experience injection complements their youthful energy perfectly.
Bowling Renaissance: The acquisition of Ravi Bishnoi addresses their long-standing wrist-spin shortage, while the pace battery featuring Archer, Deshpande, and overseas options provides genuine wicket-taking threat.
Cultural Advantage: Jadeja’s homecoming creates emotional resonance beyond tactical benefits, connecting past glory with present ambitions, potentially galvanizing the entire franchise.
FAQs
Who is RR captain 2026?
While not officially announced, Ravindra Jadeja is expected to captain Rajasthan Royals following his emotional return to the franchise where he won the 2008 IPL title.
Who are Rajasthan franchise new players 2026?
RR made major changes through trades (Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Donovan Ferreira) and auction buys led by Ravi Bishnoi (₹7.2cr), Adam Milne, Kuldeep Sen, and domestic talents.
How much did Rajasthan cricket team spend in auction 2026?
Rajasthan Royals spent ₹13.40 crores at the auction from their ₹16.05 crores purse, with Ravi Bishnoi being their marquee acquisition.
Who is Rajasthan Royals owner?
Royal Multisport Private Limited, led by Manoj Badale and other investors, owns the Rajasthan franchise, bringing business expertise to cricket operations.
What is RR home ground?
Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur serves as RR’s home venue, featuring 30,000 capacity and royal Rajasthani cultural atmosphere.
How many times has Rajasthan IPL team won the tournament?
Rajasthan Royals has won one IPL title in 2008 as inaugural champions under Shane Warne’s captaincy, plus reached the 2022 final.
Who is Rajasthan cricket team coach 2026?
Kumar Sangakkara continues as Director of Cricket, bringing legendary batting expertise and strategic vision to guide the squad transformation.
Which players did the Rajasthan franchise retain?
RR retained 13 players including Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Shimron Hetmyer, Jofra Archer, and promising domestic talents.
What is Rajasthan Royals squad 2026?
The Rajasthan cricket team features 25 players with 17 Indians and 8 overseas cricketers, combining youthful batting talent with experienced all-round depth.
Who are RR released players 2026?
Major departures include Sanju Samson (traded to CSK), Nitish Rana (traded to DC), Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, and other overseas spinners.
What is Rajasthan Royals jersey color?
The Rajasthan cricket team wears pink and blue colored jerseys, representing the royal heritage and vibrant culture of Rajasthan state.
When does IPL 2026 season begin?
The Indian Premier League 2026 starts on March 26, with RR aiming to capitalize on their dramatic squad transformation for title contention.
Why did RR trade Sanju Samson for Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran?
Rajasthan prioritized proven championship experience and tactical flexibility over emotional attachment, believing the all-round combination offers greater title-winning potential.
Who is RR wicket-keeper for 2026?
The franchise primarily relies on Dhruv Jurel as main wicket-keeper, with Donovan Ferreira providing backup options and additional finishing capability.
What makes Rajasthan Royals competitive?
RR’s competitiveness stems from bold squad transformation, youth-experience balance, improved bowling depth, emotional leadership connection, and strategic flexibility across all departments.
