The Rajasthan Royals (RR) are quite the talk of the Indian Premier League (IPL) these days, making headlines by the number of their activities. However, they still need to sort out their combo before the next season comes. After the team’s woeful performance in IPL 2025, fans will be curious to see the RR retention list.
One major issue that the franchise has been discussing is about captain Sanju Samson. Rajasthan Royals are very close to getting all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran to substitute their wicketkeeper-batter.
Moreover, at the moment, the situation at Rajasthan Royals is quite challenging, as there is a lot happening all at once. Some support staff members, including head coach Rahul Dravid, have left the franchise, followed by former CEO Jake Lush McCrum. Therefore, it will be crucial for the management to have distinct plans for the RR retention list for the next season.
The Rajasthan Royals have always been a team that pours money on young talents, and Vaibhav Suryavanshi is nobody but the best example to show that. Still, here’s a list of young players in a country who would surely be in the Rajasthan Royals retention list.
IPL 2026 Certainties in RR Retention List
The first thing that comes to the mind of the RR management would be to keep the most promising young blood. This move would ensure a young core for the team. These are the certainties in the RR retention list.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi
In terms of local talent, forget it! The name Vaibhav Suryavanshi would come to the management’s mind as the first, even before some capped alternatives. The teen who got a taste of the big time last season is already showing off his worth with a century full of impressiveness.
It’s hence very safe to say that Vaibhav Suryavanshi is definitely going to be on the RR retention list. The way he scores runs and attacks the opposition is a great skill, and the Rajasthan Royals will be happy to have him.
Kunal Rathore
This could be a shock to many fans, yet the state of the franchise, along with the wicketkeeper-batter’s capabilities, would make Kunal Rathore a must on the Rajasthan Royals’ retention list.
Although he has played only one match for the franchise, which is very little to judge a player, Rathore has shown his worth at the domestic level, having scored 254 runs in 13 innings so far. In addition, with Sanju Samson’s trade to CSK being finalized, it would be a plus for the franchise to have a keeper-batsman on the reserves.
Riyan Parag
If one supports the Rajasthan Royals, then this decision is definitely a no-brainer. The choice to take up the leadership duty during the initial matches last season, while Sanju Samson was injured, was made by the franchise with Riyan Parag as the first option.
Besides, the all-rounder has been consistent throughout the seasons with his bat and also with the ball for the franchise, thus he is the one who can produce match-winning performances. The RR management would want him on the RR retention list so he can be prepared for a larger role.
Probables in RR Released Players 2026 List
The Rajasthan Royals are about to take some big decisions as they prepare for the auction of IPL 2026 and the changes will probably be reflected in the list of the Rajasthan Royals released players 2026. Here are a couple of domestic stars who could get the axe ahead of the next season.
Tushar Deshpande
The 30-year-old has played for three different franchises so far, with Rajasthan Royals being the last. However, Mumbai’s right-arm pacer had his best two seasons with Chennai Super Kings in 2023 and 2024, taking 21 and 17 wickets respectively.
Last season saw Tushar Deshpande only being able to take nine wickets in the ten matches that he was a part of. To make matters worse, his economy rate (10.62) is a little on the higher side which is a concern for the team. Because of all these factors, Deshpande might be named among the Rajasthan Royals released players 2026 list and will be waiting for a team to spend a lot on him in the auction.
Akash Madhwal
The right-arm fast bowler spent two years with the Mumbai Indians (MI) before being released by them during the mega-auction after which he joined the Rajasthan Royals where he played in the 2025 season.
His situation was a bit surprising as he only participated in four matches for the Rajasthan Royals, claiming four wickets. One of the most deadly yorkers in the game today belongs to Madhwal who impressed everyone during his tenure with the previous franchise. But his economy in 2025 was over 11 and he will definitely figure in the list of Rajasthan Royals released players 2026.
