Rajasthan Royals have finalized their retention list for the IPL 2026 season, executing the most dramatic squad transformation of the off-season by trading captain Sanju Samson to Chennai Super Kings while acquiring Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran in return, and releasing Sri Lankan spinner Maheesh Theekshana along with six other players while retaining 13 players from their IPL 2025 campaign.
The franchise, which finished ninth last season with just four wins from 14 matches—their worst-ever performance—has opted for complete leadership restructuring ahead of the December 16 mini-auction in Abu Dhabi. With INR 16.05 crore available in their auction purse and Kumar Sangakkara returning as Director of Cricket, RR enters the mini-auction with clear objectives to strengthen their middle-order finishing and spin bowling department that prevented any semblance of competitiveness in IPL 2025.
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RR’s Strategic Retention Philosophy
After a catastrophic IPL 2025 campaign that saw Rajasthan Royals finish ninth on the points table with just four wins—marking their worst performance in franchise history—the team executed radical transformation through blockbuster trades and strategic releases rather than simple retention. The restructuring reflects harsh lessons learned from complete failure, prioritizing young Indian batting talent, acquiring proven all-round match-winners, and creating leadership transition over preserving the existing unsuccessful core.
Kumar Sangakkara, Director of Cricket, said: “We are very pleased with the balance and depth of the squad following our retentions and key trades going into 2026. We’ve retained a core that understands our environment and plays the brand of cricket we believe in. The additions of Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, and Donovan Ferreira further strengthen us across most phases of the game.”
The franchise’s decision to retain 13 players while executing the IPL’s most significant trade demonstrates both continuity in batting talent and revolutionary change in leadership and all-round capabilities.
Rajasthan Royals’ Complete Retained Players List for IPL 2026
| Player Name | Role | Nationality | Retention Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | Batsman | India | Leading run-scorer, captaincy candidate |
| Riyan Parag | All-rounder | India | Young batting talent at ₹14 crore |
| Dhruv Jurel | Wicketkeeper | India | Keeping option at ₹14 crore, captaincy candidate |
| Shimron Hetmyer | Batsman | West Indies | Middle-order power at ₹11 crore |
| Vaibhav Suryavanshi | Batsman | India | Youngest IPL centurion |
| Shubham Dubey | Batsman | India | Domestic batting depth |
| Lhuan-dre Pretorius | Wicketkeeper | South Africa | Young keeping talent |
| Yudhvir Singh Charak | All-rounder | India | Promising all-round prospect |
| Jofra Archer | Fast Bowler | England | Premium pace bowling leader |
| Tushar Deshpande | Fast Bowler | India | Domestic pace option |
| Nandre Burger | Fast Bowler | South Africa | Left-arm pace variety |
| Kwena Maphaka | Fast Bowler | South Africa | Young pace talent |
| Sandeep Sharma | Fast Bowler | India | Experience, swing bowling |
Traded-In Players:
- Ravindra Jadeja (All-rounder, India) – Acquired from CSK for revised ₹14 crore
- Sam Curran (All-rounder, England) – Acquired from CSK for ₹2.4 crore
- Donovan Ferreira (Wicketkeeper, South Africa) – Acquired from DC
The retention of 13 players plus three strategic trade acquisitions demonstrates Rajasthan Royals’ commitment to building around explosive young batting talent while adding proven all-round match-winners capable of delivering under pressure—capabilities completely absent in IPL 2025.
The Sanju Samson Trade: End of an Era
Perhaps the most seismic decision in IPL 2026 retention proceedings is Rajasthan Royals’ trade of long-serving captain Sanju Samson to Chennai Super Kings in exchange for two proven all-rounders—marking the end of a decade-long association. In a surprising move, long-time RR captain Sanju Samson has been traded to Chennai Super Kings (CSK). This decision marks the end of an era for the Royals, who now face the critical challenge of choosing a new captain for IPL 2026.
The 30-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman, who joined CSK at his existing ₹18 crore price tag, leaves Rajasthan Royals after serving as captain and franchise icon for multiple seasons. The marquee move saw captain Sanju Samson traded to CSK, with Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran arriving in return. Samson joins CSK at ₹18 crore, Jadeja’s revised fee at RR is ₹14 crore, and Curran is valued at ₹2.4 crore.
Historic IPL 2026 Three-Player Trade
| Player | Direction | Value | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanju Samson | RR → CSK | ₹18 crore | Captain, wicketkeeper-batsman |
| Ravindra Jadeja | CSK → RR | ₹14 crore (revised down from ₹18 cr) | World-class all-rounder |
| Sam Curran | CSK → RR | ₹2.4 crore | Death-bowling all-rounder |
The trade represents one of the most significant roster moves in IPL history—a franchise trading away its captain and highest-paid player in exchange for two players who offer precisely what RR lacked in IPL 2025: proven match-winning all-round ability, championship experience, and situational intelligence.
Samson’s departure creates both crisis and opportunity—RR must now identify new leadership while benefiting from the explosive batting-bowling balance that Jadeja and Curran provide across all match phases.
The Maheesh Theekshana Release: Spin Department Overhaul
Among Rajasthan Royals’ strategic releases, the decision to part ways with Sri Lankan spinner Maheesh Theekshana signals a complete spin bowling department overhaul despite him being joint-highest wicket-taker for the franchise in IPL 2025. Rajasthan Royals have made a significant reshuffle of their squad, releasing the Sri Lankan duo of Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana, along with Fazalhaq Farooqi, among the overseas players.
Theekshana, a crafty spinner known for his variations, joined from Chennai Super Kings, where he had played 27 matches and taken 25 wickets. Both spinners were crucial in RR’s 2025 campaign, finishing as joint highest wicket-takers for the franchise.
Maheesh Theekshana: IPL 2025 Performance vs Release Rationale
| Statistics | Value | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Acquisition Price | ₹4.40 crore | From IPL 2025 mega auction |
| Wickets for RR | Joint-highest for franchise | Despite team finishing 9th |
| Overseas Slot | Premium position | Better value targets available |
| Team Performance | 4 wins in 14 matches | Individual stats couldn’t save team |
Sri Lankan spinner Maheesh Theekshana failed to make a major impact in IPL 2025. RR may focus on domestic spin talent or all-rounders instead, leaving Theekshana available for auction.
The paradox of Theekshana’s release—being a leading wicket-taker yet expendable—reflects RR’s assessment that his individual wickets couldn’t translate into team success. With Ravindra Jadeja now providing left-arm spin, Sam Curran offering part-time spin options, and the need to optimize overseas slots for finishing power, Theekshana became surplus to requirements despite decent personal returns.
The release alongside fellow Sri Lankan spinner Wanindu Hasaranga (₹5.25 crore) frees up nearly ₹10 crore in purse space and two overseas slots—resources RR can redeploy toward middle-order finishers and specialist death-bowlers that were glaringly absent in their ninth-place catastrophe.
Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran Acquisitions
While Maheesh Theekshana’s release created headlines, Rajasthan Royals’ most transformative roster moves came through acquiring Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran from Chennai Super Kings—adding proven championship-winning all-rounders with complementary skill sets.
RR made their move by securing two key players from CSK, Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. Jadeja, a veteran all-rounder, takes a salary cut from INR 18 crore to INR 14 crore, signaling his commitment to the Royals.
Jadeja brings world-class left-arm spin, explosive lower-order batting, and elite fielding—exactly the match-winning all-round package RR desperately lacked. His ₹4 crore salary reduction from ₹18 crore to ₹14 crore demonstrates personal commitment to the new franchise challenge.
Sam Curran, valued at just ₹2.4 crore, provides death-overs pace bowling expertise, left-arm variety, and finishing batting ability—three critical skills where RR showed complete incompetence in IPL 2025.
RR’s Trade Window Masterclass
| Acquisition | Value | Primary Skills | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ravindra Jadeja | ₹14 crore | Left-arm spin, batting, fielding | Match-winning all-rounder |
| Sam Curran | ₹2.4 crore | Death-bowling, finishing, left-arm pace | Budget all-round value |
| Donovan Ferreira | Trade from DC | Finishing, power-hitting, keeping | Middle-order firepower |
Director of cricket Kumar Sangakkara said Ferreira’s acquisition was driven by his finishing credentials and versatility against both pace and spin, helping RR manage their purse and combination flexibility.
The trio of Jadeja, Curran, and Ferreira addresses RR’s twin crises—lack of proven finishers and absence of match-winning all-rounders—through strategic trades rather than expensive auction bidding wars.
Other Strategic Releases
Beyond Maheesh Theekshana and the blockbuster Sanju Samson trade, Rajasthan Royals released six additional players to optimize squad composition and create auction flexibility.
Rajasthan Royals’ Complete Released Players List
| Player Name | Role | Reason for Release |
|---|---|---|
| Sanju Samson | Wicketkeeper | Traded to CSK for Jadeja + Curran |
| Maheesh Theekshana | Spinner | Overseas slot optimization, ₹4.40 cr saved |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | Spinner | Released despite wickets, ₹5.25 cr saved |
| Nitish Rana | Batsman | Traded to DC for Donovan Ferreira |
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | Fast Bowler | 5 matches, zero wickets in IPL 2025 |
| Akash Madhwal | Fast Bowler | Limited opportunities, expendable |
| Ashok Sharma | Fast Bowler | Fringe player, minimal impact |
| Kumar Kartikeya | Spinner | Domestic spin depth player |
| Kunal Rathore | Batsman | Uncapped, limited game time |
Wanindu Hasaranga, the Sri Lankan leg-spinner acquired for ₹5.25 crore, was released alongside Theekshana despite being RR’s joint-leading wicket-taker. In the overseas bowling department, RR have released Sri Lankan pair Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana, along with Afghanistan left-arm seamer Fazalhaq Farooqi.
The dual spinner release reflects RR’s strategic pivot—rather than investing in specialist overseas spinners who couldn’t prevent ninth-place disaster, focus on all-rounders like Jadeja who contribute across batting, bowling, and fielding.
Afghanistan pacer Farooqi played only 5 matches without a wicket in IPL 2025. His complete inability to take wickets made him an obvious release candidate.
Nitish Rana was traded to Delhi Capitals, with RR receiving Donovan Ferreira in exchange—a direct swap prioritizing finishing power over middle-order accumulation.
New Leadership: Yashasvi Jaiswal vs Dhruv Jurel
With Sanju Samson’s departure to CSK, Rajasthan Royals faces the critical challenge of appointing a new captain for IPL 2026. With Sanju Samson officially leaving the franchise after the historic trade, RR will now appoint a new captain for IPL 2026. According to recent internal discussions and updates, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel are the leading contenders.
Yashasvi Jaiswal, the explosive left-handed opener who had a standout IPL 2025 season, represents continuity in batting leadership and youthful aggression. His explosive batting style and fearless approach mirror the brand of cricket RR wants to play.
Dhruv Jurel, the wicketkeeper-batsman valued at ₹14 crore, offers tactical advantage through keeping position and demonstrated leadership maturity beyond his years during recent India performances.
Both candidates possess championship potential but lack IPL captaincy experience—a risk RR must take while building around young Indian talent supported by proven international match-winners like Jadeja, Curran, and Archer.
Auction Strategy: Targeting Specific Positions
With INR 16.05 crore remaining and nine roster slots available (including one overseas position), Rajasthan Royals enters the December 16 mini-auction with precise priorities and moderate financial flexibility.
Primary Auction Targets:
1. Captain-Compatible Experienced Opener: If Dhruv Jurel becomes captain, RR needs an experienced domestic opener to partner Yashasvi Jaiswal and provide guidance. If Jaiswal captains, they need a reliable opening partner who can anchor while Jaiswal attacks.
2. Middle-Order Finisher: Despite acquiring Jadeja, Curran, and Ferreira, RR still needs additional finishing depth—a proven Indian batsman who can close matches in pressure situations that repeatedly eluded them in IPL 2025.
3. Death-Overs Pace Specialist: With Maheesh Theekshana and Hasaranga released, RR requires a specialist death-bowler capable of defending totals in final overs—a skill completely absent in their ninth-place disaster.
4. Quality Spinner to Replace Theekshana and Hasaranga: With both overseas spinners released, RR needs at least one proven domestic leg-spinner or quality off-spinner to complement Jadeja’s left-arm spin.
5. Domestic All-Rounder Depth: Budget-friendly Indian all-rounders who can provide squad flexibility across batting, bowling, and fielding departments.
Rajasthan Royals’ approach suggests targeted bidding focused on leadership-compatible players and role-specific specialists rather than marquee names. With moderate purse and single overseas slot, RR must prioritize value over reputation while supporting their youth-led core with proven finishers.
Building Around Young Indian Core
The retention of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, and Dhruv Jurel signals RR’s long-term vision—build around explosive young Indian batting talent supported by world-class all-rounders rather than captain-centric squad construction.
With Kumar Sangakkara returning as Director of Cricket after Rahul Dravid’s departure, RR possesses tactical leadership capable of nurturing young captaincy candidates while maximizing the potential of Jadeja, Curran, and Archer.
The franchise’s philosophy of radical transformation through strategic trades rather than auction spending reflects modern franchise management—identify undervalued match-winners, acquire them through trades, then use limited auction resources for specific gaps.
If RR successfully addresses captaincy appointment, middle-order finishing, and death-bowling at the December auction, they possess the batting firepower (Jaiswal, Parag), all-round balance (Jadeja, Curran), and pace attack (Archer, Burger) to challenge for playoff qualification—a dramatic improvement from ninth-place disaster.
FAQs
Why did RR trade Sanju Samson to Chennai Super Kings?
RR traded Sanju Samson to CSK for Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran to acquire proven match-winning all-rounders with championship experience. The historic three-player trade addresses RR’s critical weakness—lack of finishers and all-round depth that caused their ninth-place finish with just 4 wins in IPL 2025—by replacing captaincy with championship-winning capability.
How many players did Rajasthan Royals retain for IPL 2026?
Rajasthan Royals retained 13 players from their IPL 2025 squad, including Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, and Jofra Archer. They also acquired Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, and Donovan Ferreira through trades while releasing Sanju Samson, Maheesh Theekshana, and Wanindu Hasaranga.
How much auction purse does Rajasthan Royals have for IPL 2026?
RR has INR 16.05 crore remaining in their auction purse for the mini-auction scheduled for December 16 in Abu Dhabi. They have nine roster slots available, including one overseas position, providing moderate flexibility for targeted middle-order and death-bowling acquisitions.
Why did RR release Maheesh Theekshana despite him being a leading wicket-taker?
RR released Maheesh Theekshana despite being joint-highest wicket-taker because his individual wickets couldn’t translate into team success (RR finished 9th with 4 wins). The ₹4.40 crore overseas slot was needed for finishing power, and Ravindra Jadeja’s acquisition provided quality left-arm spin, making Theekshana expendable despite decent personal returns.
Who will captain Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026?
RR must appoint a new captain after trading Sanju Samson to CSK. The leading candidates are Yashasvi Jaiswal (explosive opener, youthful aggression) and Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper-batsman with tactical advantage, recent India leadership experience). Both lack IPL captaincy experience but possess championship potential to lead RR’s young core supported by proven winners like Jadeja, Curran, and Archer.
