Yashasvi Jaiswal of Rajasthan Royals (Photo: Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images) NEW DELHI: Rajasthan Royals will arrive at the IPL 2026 auction with more connections than most teams at the table. Few franchises have experienced such drastic swings in direction in a single year. The Royals’ journey to this mini-auction has been anything but linear, from a third-place finish in 2024 to a disastrous season this year, when Rahul Dravid replaced Kumar Sangakkara as head coach and then left, only to have Sangakkara come back again.And yet, beneath the noise, there is a sense that Rajasthan have finally solved their most fundamental cricketing problem.
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The trade window told this story clearly. The replacement of Sanju Samson – their captain, most capped player, top scorer and long-time face of the series – was a seismic move. But in terms of squad construction, it was also deeply calculated. Rajasthan did not trade Samson to Chennai Super Kings. They turned one INR 18 million player into two genuine all rounders. Ravindra Jadeja fetched INR 14 crore, four less than his previous tally, while Sam Curran fetched a remarkable INR 2.4 crore. Two players, both capable of influencing games in multiple phases, were acquired for less than the cost of Samson himself.This is important because in the last cycle the Rajasthani, despite their strong finishes, were structurally incomplete. They played most seasons with six specialist hitters and five pitchers. There was no glue in between. This imbalance was repeatedly manifested in pressure situations. The management often had to move R Ashwin up the order, not as a tactical weapon but as a necessity to stretch the batting depth. Even their attempt to fix it in the mega auction through Wanindu Hasaranga only partially worked. Hasaranga delivered the wickets but his inability to contribute with the bat left the major issue unresolved.The Samson-Jadeja-Curran deal changes that completely. Rajasthan now have original batsman under eight without compromising the quality of bowling. It’s the single most important fix they’ve made in years.
Rajasthan Royal’s Yashasvi Jaiswal (Photo: Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)
Their top order remains the strongest and most exciting part of the team. Yashasvi Jaiswal continues to be a cornerstone, combining volume with aggression. Alongside him, Vaibhav Suryavanshi has been the breakout story of IPL 2025. Thrust into the XI due to Samson’s injury, the 14-year-old not only survived but dominated. His 252 runs in seven matches, highlighted by a breathtaking hundred off 35 balls against Gujarat Titans, led Rajasthan to the best batting tally in overs in the league. No team matched their intent in the first six overs.However, this is also where risk creeps in. Suryavanshi is still a teenager. The pressure of a second season, the opposition’s scheduling and the toil of a full IPL campaign can be unforgiving. With Nitish Rana replaced and Lhuan-dre Pretorius the only specialist backup, Rajasthan are one injury or loss of form away from stretching out at the top. Expect them to quietly look for a top-order domestic option that can hit without upsetting the balance. Players like Prithvi Shaw, Mayank Agarwal, Rahul Tripathi, Deepak Hooda or even Venkatesh Iyer offer different combinations of experience, versatility and short-term cover without forcing a structural rethink.
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The middle order, long a source of frustration, looks more balanced on paper. Riyan Parag has grown into his role as the lynchpin and stabilizer. Dhruv Jurel provides composure and awareness of the game and is likely to bat a little higher after Samson’s departure, a role that suits his temperament and shot selection. The finish, however, remains a mixed bag. Shimron Hetmyer endured a stunning season, both in performance and impact, especially in the last five overs where Rajasthan ranked among the worst teams in terms of runs, strike rates and boundary percentage. The addition of Donovan Ferreira gives them a second finishing option, but India’s lack of proven power hitters means the depth is still fragile in high-pressure chases. Abhinav Manohar, available in the auction, could be a smart target here. His ability to bat anywhere between fours and sevens and line the ropes against pace makes him a practical, affordable solution to a long-term problem.Bowling is where the auction really defines Rajasthan’s season.The release of Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshan has left a glaring hole in the spin department. Currently, Jadeja and Riyan Parag are the only spin options. Last season’s experiment with two overseas spinners failed miserably, both tactically and structurally. The Royals are determined not to repeat that mistake. Securing India’s front-line spinner is now non-negotiable.Ravi Bishnoi sits at the top of their wish list. Despite two regular seasons with Lucknow Super Giants, his age, skills and experience make him a long-term asset. Rahul Chahar is another profile that suits Rajasthan’s needs. Both would allow the Royals to dominate the middle overs, reduce pressure on the seamers and unleash their overseas combinations. The challenge, of course, is the budget. At just INR 16.05 crore, the fourth lowest purse in the auction, Rajasthan will need discipline and timing to win this battle.
Sandeep Sharma of Rajasthan Royals (Photo: Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)
The pace attack has its own concerns. Jofra Archer remains the match winner but his fitness offers no guarantees. Sandeep Sharma brings control but not pace. Tushar Deshpande and Yudhvir Singh provide depth but lack a proven death overs skill set. Rajasthan had the worst economy in both overs and death overs last season, a statistic that underlines their need for a specialist who can deliver yorkers and variations under pressure. Someone like Mustafizur Rahman with previous franchise experience could be a pragmatic solution. Matheesha Pathirana is another tempting option, but given Rajasthan’s limited budget and his likely cost, securing him seems highly unlikely.Rajasthan also have two exciting overseas fast-bowling prospects in Nandre Burger and Kwena Maphaka. Both offer pace and goal-scoring potential, but playing both would compromise an overseas slot elsewhere, something the Royals will need to weigh carefully given their already tight overseas record.Currently, Rajasthan Royals are closer to a balanced XI than they have been in a long time.Likely XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Jofra Archer, Sandeep Sharma, Indian SpinnerImpact Player: Tushar DeshpandeThe Royals may not dominate the auction headlines, but if they secure a quality Indian spinner and one smart bowling addition, they could quietly go away as one of the most improved sides. For a franchise that has been chasing balance for nearly a decade, this auction is not about ambition. The point is to finally complete the puzzle.
