NEW DELHI: Rajasthan Royals approached the IPL Auction 2026 with a purse of Rs 16.05 crore and nine slots to fill, aiming to add depth and balance to an already competitive squad. While the franchise did not make the loudest noise at the auction table, the Royals focused on reinforcing key areas, particularly spin and pace, to complement their established core ahead of the new season.
The auction itself was headlined by some eye-catching moves across teams. Australian all-rounder Cameron Green stole the spotlight after being snapped up by Kolkata Knight Riders for a staggering Rs 25.20 crore, making him the third most expensive player in IPL history. Chennai Super Kings, meanwhile, went all out for young Indian talents, with Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma becoming the highest-priced uncapped players in IPL history. KKR further made waves by securing Sri Lankan speedster Matheesha Pathirana for Rs 18 crore, a record sum for a Sri Lankan at an IPL auction. In total, all 10 franchises filled the 77 available slots, splurging a combined Rs 215.45 crore in a frenetic bidding war that underlined the league’s ever-growing financial muscle.
For Rajasthan Royals, the auction strategy revolved around smart additions rather than headline-grabbing buys. The biggest investment was in India leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi, who was secured for Rs 7.20 crore, significantly strengthening the spin department. Bishnoi’s pace through the air and wicket-taking ability in the middle overs add another dimension to a bowling attack that already boasts quality and variety.
The Royals also added depth to their pace stocks by bringing in Adam Milne for Rs 2.40 crore, along with Kuldeep Sen, Sushant Mishra and Yash Raj Punja. These additions provide valuable options across different conditions and phases of the game. Young domestic players such as Ravi Singh, Vignesh Puthur, Aman Rao and Brijesh Sharma were picked up at modest prices, underlining the franchise’s continued focus on nurturing emerging talent.
Rajasthan’s retained core remains the backbone of the side. The batting is anchored by Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shimron Hetmyer, Riyan Parag and Dhruv Jurel, while all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran offer balance and flexibility. In the bowling department, Jofra Archer, Sandeep Sharma, Tushar Deshpande, Nandre Burger and Kwena Maphaka provide pace and variety, complemented by Bishnoi’s leg-spin.
Overall, Rajasthan Royals head into the season with a well-rounded squad that blends experience, youth and versatility, positioning themselves as strong contenders in the upcoming IPL 2026.
Rajasthan Royals Full Squad for IPL 2026
Retained players:Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Dhruv Jurel, Jofra Archer, Kwena Maphaka, Lhuan-Dre Pretorius, Nandre Burger, Riyan Parag, Sandeep Sharma, Shimron Hetmyer, Shubham Dubey, Tushar Deshpande, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Yudhvir Singh
Players bought at auction:Ravi Bishnoi (Rs 7.20 crore), Sushant Mishra (Rs 90 lakh), Yash Raj Punja (Rs 30 lakh), Vignesh Puthur (Rs 30 lakh), Ravi Singh (Rs 95 lakh), Brajesh Sharma (Rs 30 lakh), Aman Rao (Rs 30 lakh), Kuldeep Sen (Rs 75 lakh), Adam Milne (Rs 2.40 crore)
FULL SQUAD: Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Donovan Ferreira, Sandeep Sharma, Shubham Dubey, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Lhuan-Dre Pretorius, Shimron Hetmyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Jofra Archer, Tushar Deshpande, Kwena Maphaka, Nandre Burger, Ravi Bishnoi, Sushant Mishra, Yash Raj Punja, Vignesh Puthur, Ravi Singh, Aman Rao, Brijesh Sharma, Adam Milne, Kuldeep Sen.
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