IPL 2026 Retention: Rajasthan Royals' retained, released players; full list

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After a disappointing ninth-place finish in IPL 2025, Rajasthan Royals (RR) are looking to bounce back in the upcoming season with some high-profile trades and a revamped squad. The franchise has been active in reshaping its lineup, making significant changes as they gear up for the IPL 2026 mini-auction.

 

Captaincy Change as Sanju Samson is Traded to CSK

 

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. Samson’s leadership will be missed, but RR's management is focused on building a team that can deliver consistent results in the coming seasons.

 

Key Trades: Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran Join RR

 

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. His experience and leadership qualities will add significant depth to RR's squad. Sam Curran, another strong all-round option, brings both firepower with the bat and control with the ball, strengthening RR’s core for IPL 2026. 

 

Retentions and Departures: A Mixed Bag for RR

 

In terms of retentions, RR has held on to some of their key players from the previous season. Yashasvi Jaiswal, who had a standout season in 2025, remains with the team, alongside the promising Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who made a big impact by scoring the fastest IPL century by an Indian. Other retained players include Riyan Parag and Dhruv Jurel, both of whom have hefty price tags of INR 14 crore each, but their performances have justified the investment. Shimron Hetmyer also stays on at his INR 11 crore fee, adding firepower to RR's middle order. 

Rajasthan Royals retained and traded in players before IPL 2026 auction
Player	Type	Base Price (INR Cr)	Sold Price (INR Cr)
Yashasvi Jaiswal	AR	-	18
Ravindra Jadeja (Traded in)	AR		14
Dhruv Jurel	BAT	-	14
Riyan Parag	AR	-	14
Jofra Archer	BOWL	2	12.5
Shimron Hetmyer	BAT	-	11
Tushar Deshpande	BOWL	1	6.5
Sam Curran (Traded in)	AR		2.4
Sandeep Sharma	BOWL	-	4
Kwena Maphaka	BOWL	0.75	1.5
Vaibhav Suryavanshi	BAT	0.3	1.1
Shubham Dubey	BAT	0.3	0.8
Yudhvir Singh	AR	0.3	0.35
Donovan Ferreira (Traded in)	AR	NA	1

 

However, the franchise has decided to part ways with several players. Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana, both Sri Lankan spinners, have been released, along with Afghan pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi. Additionally, four uncapped players, including pacers Akash Madhwal and Ashok Sharma, spinner Kumar Kartikeya, and batter Kunal Rathore, have been let go.

 

Remaining Purse for IPL 2026 Auction

 

Rajasthan Royals will enter the IPL 2026 auction with a remaining purse of INR 16.05 crore, giving them the flexibility to make a few strategic purchases to bolster their squad further. With some big names traded in and a mix of experienced campaigners and young talent, RR will be looking to make a strong push for the title in the upcoming season. 

Players released by Rajasthan Royals
Player name	IPL 2026 team	IPL 2025 team	Current Salary	Previous salary
Wanindu Hasaranga	TBD	RR	TBD	Rs 5.25 crore
Maheesh Theekshana	TBD	RR	TBD	Rs 4.4 crore
Fazalhaq Farooqi	TBD	RR	TBD	Rs 2 crore
Akash Madhwal	TBD	RR	TBD	Rs 1.2 crore
Kunal Singh Rathore	TBD	RR	TBD	Rs 30 lakh
Ashok Sharma	TBD	RR	TBD	Rs 30 lakh
Kumar Kartikeya	TBD	RR	TBD	Rs 30 lakh