Rajasthan Royals (RR) are expected to release some of their key players after a disappointing IPL 2025 season, and Skipper Sanju Samson is at the top of that list. The Indian Premier League (IPL) Mini-Auction is set to take place on December 15, 2025, and all the franchises are finalizing their retained and released players as the deadline for the IPL 2026 Retention is November 15.
However, RR’s team management also had a few changes, and as per the reports, things are not going well in the RR camp. Rajasthan skipper Sanju Samson is set to leave the franchise ahead of the IPL 2026 Auction. Rajasthan finished at ninth spot in the last edition, and they want some significant changes in the squad.
RR has plenty of young players and some quality overseas players who can perform better in the upcoming season. But, RR might have to take some hard calls before the IPL 2026 mini-auction to add some better options in the team who can contribute for a long time.
Rajasthan Royals Released Players 2026 [Expected]
The Biggest and most shocking release will be Captain Sanju Samson. Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Chennai Super Kings are in talks for a possible trade. As per the reports, Sanju Samson will be a part of CSK, whereas Ravindra Jadeja, along with Sam Curran, will go to Rajasthan.
Rajasthan Royals bought Nitish Rana for Rs. 4.2 crore in the IPL 2025 Mega Auction, but he couldn’t perform well. Sri Lankan spinner, Maheesh Theekshana, might be released ahead of the IPL 2026 Auction as he was bought for Rs. 4.4 crore in the IPL 2025 Auction, but he had a very decent performance.
The addition of Fazalhaq Farooqi in the squad didn’t go well for Rajasthan Royals, as he played five games and could only pick one wicket. Tushar Despande was added to the squad to manage the death overs bowling, but he had a poor average of 37.77 and conceded plenty of runs in the last few seasons in the death overs.
The economy rate in the death overs was too high, which might become a key reason that RR may choose to release him. RR might release him as well to explore more reliable death over bowling options.
Rajasthan Royals (RR) Retained Players 2026 [Expected]
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Wanindu Hasaranga, Shimron Hetmyer, Shubham Dubey, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Ashok Sharma, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Akash Madhwal, Kunal Singh Rathore, Kumar Kartikeya, Nandre Burger, Kwena Maphaka.
Read More: IPL 2026: Jadeja Set for CSK Exit After Dhoni Talks; RR Unhappy With Curran in Samson Trade