The RR retention list 2026 has some interesting names.
The RR retention list 2026 has been revealed, and it was bound to be interesting after the Sanju Samson trade. As expected, some big names are among the Rajasthan Royals released players 2026, following the franchise’s poor performance last season. A few have surprisingly found themselves among the RR retained players 2026 despite being underwhelming in their respective departments.
The RR retentions indicate that they have kept their Indian core, which has also been their strength over the last few years. Those part of the RR released players 2026 list were either below par in IPL 2025 or didn’t fit the squad. They made several mistakes in the previous auction, and the RR retention list 2026 shows they have started taking steps towards building for the next season.
Complete IPL 2026 Retention List, Released Players, and Remaining Purse Status
As mentioned, the RR retention list 2026 constitutes several Indian players, with big overseas players also making the cut. Barring Sanju Samson, other established names, such as Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, and Dhruv Jurel, have been included among the RR retained players 2026. Overseas guns like Jofra Archer and Shimron Hetmyer also keep their places in the squad.
Big names among the RR released players 2026 include Maheesh Theekshana and Tushar Deshpande. Both were below par last season and were taking more price than the team liked. The RR retentions were tricky, and these two had to be left out to arrive in the auction with a reasonable price.
| Players | Status | Purse + or – |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | Retained | – 18 crore |
| Riyan Parag | Retained | – 14 crore |
| Dhruv Jurel | Retained | – 14 crore |
| Lhuan-dre Pretorius | Retained | – 30 Lakhs |
| Shimron Hetmyer | Retained | – 11 crore |
| Shubham Dubey | Retained | – 80 Lakhs |
| Tushar Deshpande | Retained | – 6.50 crore |
| Vaibhav Suryavanshi | Retained | -1.10 crore |
| Yudhvir Singh Charak | Retained | – 35 Lakhs |
| Kwena Maphaka | Retained | – 1.50 crore |
| Nandre Burger | Retained | – 3.50 crore |
| Jofra Archer | Retained | – 12.50 crore |
| Sandeep Sharma | Retained | – 4 crore |
| Ravindra Jadeja | Traded | – 14 crore |
| Sam Curran | Traded | – 2.40 core |
| Donovan Ferreira | Traded | – 1 crore |
| Akash Madhwal | Released | + 1.20 crore |
| Kunal Singh Rathore | Released | + 30 Lakhs |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | Released | + 5.25 crore |
| Kumar Kartikeya | Released | + 30 Lakhs |
| Ashok Sharma | Released | + 30 Lakhs |
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | Released | + 2 crore |
| Nitish Rana | Traded | + 4.20 crore |
| Maheesh Theekshana | Released | + 4.40 core |
| Sanju Samson | Traded Out | + 18 crore |
Below is a complete list of RR released players 2026.
ALSO READ: CSK Retention List IPL 2026, Released Players, and Remaining Purse Amount
ALSO READ: RCB Retention List IPL 2026, Released Players, and Remaining Purse Amount
Rajasthan Royals plugged two big gaps in the trade window. They roped in Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran as all-rounders from CSK and filled the all-rounder slot that was missing last season. Then, RR also have Donovan Ferreira as a genuine lower-order hitter.
So, the RR auction strategy will be straightforward. They will need another spinner, preferably a wrist-spinner, to partner with Jadeja since Hasaranga has been released. Additionally, RR should target a couple of more Indian pacers.
Sandeep Sharma can show signs of regression, while Yudhvir Singh Charak doesn’t have enough experience either. Meanwhile, Kwena Maphaka and Nandre Burger are still in the learning phase. So, more pacers will allow them to rotate their resources.
Let’s check the top 3 players in the RR auction strategy.
Ravi Bishnoi: Ravi Bishnoi should be Rajasthan Royals’ prime target in the IPL 2026 auction. He solves a lot of issues for them and brings a genuine wicket-taking option, even though his recent form has not been great. Then, he has previously played for Rajasthan domestically and will understand the surfaces in Jaipur.
Rahul Chahar: Another spinner whose stocks have recently been low, but can be a decent option, is Rahul Chahar. He still has decent skills, and the tracks in Jaipur might assist him a bit more. His price won’t be too high, and RR, who have a limited budget, can target him, even if Bishnoi gets sold to them.
Kuldeep Sen: Kuldeep Sen can be a major addition to the Royals squad. He has previously played for them and can bowl heavy balls in the middle overs while also giving a few overs at the death. His presence will allow RR to use Jofra Archer with the new ball.
RR almost have a set batting unit going into the auction and will look to make a few Indian additions in the bowling department to bolster the side. Check every RR auction news here.
Among the RR retained players 2026 include Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, and Dhruv Jurel. The bowling department boasts of players like Jofra Archer and Kwena Maphaka. The RR retention list is a nice blend of youth and experience, with a settled base to fill remaining slots in the IPL 2026 auction.
Among the RR released players 2026 are Nitish Rana and Kunal Singh Rathore in the batting department. Similarly, bowlers like Maheesh Theekshana and Kumar Kartikeya. All of them were among the worst performers last season and couldn’t make a significant impact.
The biggest challenge for RR in the IPL 2026 auction will be to find a suitable spinner for the next season. They have Ravindra Jadeja, whose bowling expertise is on the wane, but no wrist spinner. RR will also need more pacers in their squad since they have a few slots.
After finalising the RR retention list 2026, their purse for IPL 2026 auction stands at INR 16.05 crore.
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