After a disappointing IPL 2025 campaign that saw Rajasthan Royals finish ninth on the points table, major changes are now officially confirmed ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction. With the biggest trade in IPL history now completed — Sanju Samson has officially joined Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in exchange for Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran — RR is entering a new era with massive squad restructuring and leadership transition.
This historic three-player swap is now fully approved by both CSK and RR management, making it one of the most impactful trades ever seen in the IPL. With Samson moving to CSK and Jadeja–Curran arriving at RR, both teams have confirmed roster changes ahead of the retention deadline.
Under the ownership of Royal Multisport Pvt Ltd, Rajasthan Royals will enter IPL 2026 with a renewed focus on young Indian core players, enhanced all-round depth, and a new captain.
Latest News: Rajasthan Royals have officially released Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana ahead of IPL 2026.
Latest Update (Official): The BCCI has confirmed that the IPL 2026 Auction will take place on December 16 at Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. RR will enter with a purse of ₹16.05 crore and 9 available slots, including 1 overseas slot.
Overview: RR’s 2025 Season & New Leadership Era
Rajasthan Royals had a turbulent 2025 season — only 4 wins in 14 matches and repeated failures in both batting and bowling. Following head coach Rahul Dravid’s departure, the franchise is bringing back Kumar Sangakkara to take charge of the cricket setup.
With Sanju Samson officially leaving the franchise after the historic trade, RR will now appoint a new captain for IPL 2026. According to internal discussions, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel are the leading choices.
RR IPL 2026 Retained Players List (Final Confirmed)
Rajasthan Royals have retained a total of 16 players for IPL 2026, keeping faith in young batting talent, strong all-round depth, and an exciting pace battery.
RR Retained Players 2026 (Official Final List)
| Category | Players |
|---|---|
| Batters & Wicketkeepers | Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Shubham Dubey, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Kunal Rathore, Lhuan-Dre Pretorius |
| All-Rounders | Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Yudhvir Singh Charak |
| Bowlers | Jofra Archer, Tushar Deshpande, Nandre Burger, Kwena Maphaka |
RR Purse Remaining: ₹16.05 crore
Total Slots Left: 9 (including 1 overseas)
RR Released Players List IPL 2026 (Final Confirmed)
Rajasthan Royals have released a total of 9 players, including two Sri Lankan stars and one major trade.
RR Released Players 2026 (Official)
| Player | Role | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Sanju Samson | WK-Batter | Traded to CSK |
| Nitish Rana | Batter | Traded to Delhi Capitals |
| Kunal Singh Rathore | Batter | Released |
| Wanindu Hasaranga* | All-Rounder | Released (Overseas) |
| Maheesh Theekshana* | Bowler | Released (Overseas) |
| Fazalhaq Farooqi* | Bowler | Released (Overseas) |
| Akash Madhwal | Bowler | Released |
| Ashok Sharma | Bowler | Released |
| Kumar Kartikeya Singh | Bowler | Released |
Like to know? IPL 2026 Trade: Players List, Transfers, Rumours, Window Rules & Deadlines
RR 2026 Retention Strategy & New Direction
RR’s 2026 approach is centered around building a strong Indian core, strengthening all-round versatility, and improving tactical depth after releasing two overseas spinners.
- New Captain Selection: Yashasvi Jaiswal or Dhruv Jurel.
- Replacing Samson: Target a top-order wicketkeeper-batter.
- Spin Rebuild: With Hasaranga & Theekshana released, RR needs an overseas spinner.
- All-Round Power: Jadeja + Curran form a world-class all-round core.
- Death Overs: RR may target a specialist pacer.
Read more: IPL 2026 Retention Players List
RR Squad Outlook for IPL 2026 (Updated)
| Role | Players |
|---|---|
| Batsmen / WKs | Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Shubham Dubey, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Kunal Rathore, Lhuan-Dre Pretorius |
| All-Rounders | Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Yudhvir Singh Charak |
| Bowlers | Jofra Archer, Tushar Deshpande, Kwena Maphaka, Nandre Burger, Ashok Sharma |
RR has a well-structured squad with strong all-round ability, rising Indian talent, and a potent pace unit. The team will now look to add an overseas spinner, a finisher, and a power-hitter at the December 16 mini-auction.
Read Also:- IPL All Team Coaches and Their Salaries
Key Takeaways
- RR undergoes a major rebuild after a poor 2025 season.
- Sanju Samson’s confirmed exit ends a long leadership chapter.
- Jadeja and Sam Curran add world-class all-round strength.
- RR’s captaincy race is between Jaiswal and Jurel.
- Pace depth remains a major strength for RR in IPL 2026.
Final Verdict
The Rajasthan Royals IPL 2026 retained and released players list reflects a franchise entering a completely new era. With Samson traded out and Jadeja–Curran joining in, RR has reshaped its leadership, bolstered its all-round core, and prepared strategically for the December 16 auction. If their remaining slots are filled intelligently, RR could emerge as one of the most balanced teams of IPL 2026.
