After reaching the IPL 2024 playoffs, Rajasthan Royals headed into the 2025 mega-auction with Rs 41 crore remaining and clear targets for their squad rebuild.
The 2008 champions retained six players, including five Indians – the most by any franchise alongside Gujarat Titans. Star batsmen Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sanju Samson headline the retentions while West Indian power-hitter Shimron Hetmyer remained their sole overseas player.
RR have a big squad to fill
With 19 slots to fill, including seven overseas positions, RR’s shopping list focused heavily on foreign talent. The departure of key players Trent Boult and Yuzvendra Chahal left gaps in their bowling attack.
Former Gujarat Titans star David Miller will emerge as a priority target, having previously played for Rajasthan Royals in 2020-21. The South African’s potential pairing with Hetmyer could strengthen the middle order that faltered in crucial matches last season.
Caribbean big-hitter Rovman Powell who struggled for Rajasthan Royals in 2024 with a strike rate of just 126.32 might get another chance given his recent T20I form (average 30, strike rate 150) and leadership role with sister franchise Barbados Royals.
Also read: IPL Auction 2025: CSK Player List, Squad, Team List
Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin shown the exit door
The bowling department needs immediate attention after Chahal’s exit. Sri Lankan mystery spinner Maheesh Theekshana with 25 wickets from 27 IPL matches at an economy of 7.66, emerge as a prime candidate.
Young Indian opener Angkrish Raghuvanshi, fresh off an impressive debut fifty for KKR in 2024 could provide backup to Jaiswal, following RR’s tradition of backing young talent.
Head coach Rahul Dravid’s arrival might influence their interest in swing bowler Deepak Chahar known for his powerplay bowling and lower-order batting abilities.
With the second-smallest purse among all teams, RR’s auction strategy will require careful planning. Their focus likely remains on securing one premium fast bowler an experienced middle-order batter and other meticulous buys.
IPL Auction 2025: Rajasthan Royals Player List, Squad, Team List
| 1 | Jofra Archer | ₹2,00,00,000 | ₹12,50,00,000 | Capped | |
| 2 | Tushar Deshpande | ₹1,00,00,000 | ₹6,50,00,000 | Capped | |
| 3 | Wanindu Hasaranga | ₹2,00,00,000 | ₹5,25,00,000 | Capped | |
| 4 | Maheesh Theekshana | ₹2,00,00,000 | ₹4,40,00,000 | Capped | |
| 5 | Nitish Rana | ₹1,50,00,000 | ₹4,20,00,000 | Capped | |
| 6 | Fazalhaq Farooqi | ₹2,00,00,000 | ₹2,00,00,000 | Capped | |
| 7 | Kwena Maphaka | ₹75,00,000 | ₹1,50,00,000 | Capped | |
| 8 | Akash Madhwal | ₹30,00,000 | ₹1,20,00,000 | Uncapped | |
| 9 | Vaibhav Suryavanshi | ₹30,00,000 | ₹1,10,00,000 | Uncapped | |
| 10 | Shubham Dubey | ₹30,00,000 | ₹80,00,000 | Uncapped | |
| 11 | Yudhvir Charak | ₹30,00,000 | ₹35,00,000 | Uncapped | |
| 12 | Ashok Sharma | ₹30,00,000 | ₹30,00,000 | Uncapped | |
| 13 | Kunal Rathore | ₹30,00,000 | ₹30,00,000 | Uncapped | |
| 14 | Kumar Kartikeya Singh | ₹30,00,000 | ₹30,00,000 | Uncapped |