Tushar Deshpande has emerged as a reliable Indian fast bowler in the Indian Premier League through consistent performances and strong domestic form. Ahead of IPL 2026, Rajasthan Royals (RR) have shown full trust in him by retaining him in their squad, continuing their long-term investment in Indian pace talent.
Known for his attacking mindset and ability to bowl under pressure, Deshpande remains an important part of RR’s bowling plans.
Tushar Deshpande IPL 2026 Team & Price
- IPL 2026 Team: Rajasthan Royals (RR)
- IPL 2026 Price: ₹6.50 Crore
- Status: Retained by RR
- Role: Bowler
- Bowling Style: Right-arm medium pace
- Batting Style: Left-handed
- Nationality: India
- IPL Debut: 2020
The retention confirms Rajasthan Royals’ belief in Tushar Deshpande as a key Indian bowler for the upcoming season.
Read more: IPL 2026 Retention Players List
Why Rajasthan Royals Retained Tushar Deshpande
Rajasthan Royals value Deshpande for his ability to bowl long spells and pick wickets regularly.
Key Reasons for Retention
- Proven IPL experience
- Consistent wicket-taker in recent seasons
- Indian fast bowler with domestic depth
- Ability to bowl in middle and death overs
His experience adds balance to RR’s pace attack alongside senior bowlers.
Tushar Deshpande IPL Career Overview
Tushar Deshpande made his IPL debut in 2020 and has gradually improved with each season. His breakthrough years came during his strong spells with CSK, followed by a big-money move to RR.
Overall IPL Career Stats
| Matches | Wickets | Average | Economy | Best Bowling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48 | 53 | 30.86 | 9.86 | 4/27 |
Season-Wise IPL Bowling Performance
| Season | Matches | Wickets | Average | Economy | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 2 | 26.50 | 10.50 | 1/24 |
| 2025 | 10 | 9 | 37.78 | 10.63 | 3/44 |
| 2024 | 13 | 17 | 24.94 | 8.83 | 4/27 |
| 2023 | 16 | 21 | 26.86 | 9.92 | 3/45 |
| 2022 | 2 | 1 | 63.00 | 9.00 | 1/40 |
| 2020 | 5 | 3 | 64.00 | 11.29 | 2/37 |
His 2023 and 2024 seasons were the most impactful, where he consistently delivered breakthroughs.
Batting & Fielding Contribution in IPL
Although primarily a bowler, Tushar Deshpande has contributed whenever needed.
Batting & Fielding Stats
| Matches | Runs | Highest Score | Catches |
|---|---|---|---|
| 46 | 28 | 20* | 8 |
Tushar Deshpande IPL Auction & Retention History
| Year | Price | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | ₹20 Lakh | DC |
| 2022 | ₹20 Lakh | CSK |
| 2023 | ₹20 Lakh | CSK |
| 2024 | ₹20 Lakh | CSK |
| 2025 | ₹6.50 Cr | RR |
| 2026 | ₹6.50 Cr | RR (Retained) |
Tushar Deshpande Last 10 IPL Innings (Bowling)
| Match | Opponent | Bowling Figures |
|---|---|---|
| Match 13 | MI | 1/29 |
| Match 9 | GT | 1/24 |
| Match 62 | CSK | 1/33 |
| Match 59 | PBKS | 2/37 |
| Match 42 | RCB | 0/36 |
| Match 36 | LSG | 1/26 |
| Match 32 | DC | 0/38 |
| Match 28 | RCB | 0/21 |
| Match 23 | GT | 2/53 |
| Match 11 | CSK | 0/45 |
| Match 6 | KKR | 0/7 |
| Match 2 | SRH | 3/44 |
Read Also:- IPL All Team Coaches and Their Salaries
Expected Role of Tushar Deshpande in IPL 2026
For IPL 2026, Rajasthan Royals are likely to use Tushar Deshpande as:
- A regular Indian fast-bowling option
- A support bowler who can break partnerships
- A bowler who can absorb pressure on flat pitches
- An experienced campaigner guiding young bowlers
Final Verdict
Tushar Deshpande’s retention by Rajasthan Royals for IPL 2026 at ₹6.50 crore reflects his growth as a dependable Indian fast bowler. With over 53 IPL wickets and strong recent seasons, he remains a valuable asset for RR’s bowling unit.
If he maintains consistency, Deshpande can once again play a match-defining role in IPL 2026.
