One of the most popular franchises in contention is the Rajasthan Royals (RR), a well-established and uniquely formed franchise in the Indian Premier League. Their fearless cricket, intelligent strategies, and an unwavering commitment to developing young talent have defined the team since its inception in 2008. Rajasthan Royals won the first season of IPL and paved the way for their underdog attitude and competitive spirit.
Unlike several franchises, which focus on big names and such a unit, RR has always focused on a balanced team with quality international stars and young Indian guys. It has helped them stay relevant over the years, even after tough phases.
T20I cricket is set to take the forefront as the 2023 edition of IPL grows nearer, with Rajasthan Royals aiming to bat out from their 2026 season ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup. They boast a strong nucleus of players, plenty of exciting younger ones, and seasoned match-winners, making them tough contenders for the top sides in their league.
RR Team Full Overview
| Category | Details |
| Captain | Sanju Samson |
| Head Coach | Kumar Sangakkara |
| Home Ground | Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur |
| IPL Titles | 1 (2008) |
| Owner | Royals Sports Group |
| Established | 2008 |
Rajasthan Royals play their home matches at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, a venue known for balanced pitches that support both batsmen and bowlers. The franchise is owned by Royals Sports Group and is widely respected for its data-driven approach and focus on player development.
RR Squad 2026 | Rajasthan Royals Players
Below is the updated Rajasthan Royals squad for IPL 2026 based on retentions and auction additions.
| S.No | Player Name | Role | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sanju Samson (C) | WK-Batter | ₹18.00 Cr |
| 2 | Jos Buttler | WK-Batter | ₹15.75 Cr |
| 3 | Yashasvi Jaiswal | Batter | ₹16.00 Cr |
| 4 | Riyan Parag | Batter/All-rounder | ₹8.00 Cr |
| 5 | Shimron Hetmyer | Batter | ₹8.50 Cr |
| 6 | Dhruv Jurel | WK-Batter | ₹7.00 Cr |
| 7 | Rovman Powell | Batter | ₹7.40 Cr |
| 8 | Shubham Dubey | Batter | ₹5.80 Cr |
| 9 | Tom Kohler-Cadmore | Batter | ₹40 L |
| 10 | Ravichandran Ashwin | All-rounder | ₹5.00 Cr |
| 11 | Trent Boult | Bowler | ₹8.00 Cr |
| 12 | Yuzvendra Chahal | Bowler | ₹6.50 Cr |
| 13 | Avesh Khan | Bowler | ₹10.00 Cr |
| 14 | Sandeep Sharma | Bowler | ₹50 L |
| 15 | Prasidh Krishna | Bowler | ₹10.00 Cr |
| 16 | Kuldeep Sen | Bowler | ₹20 L |
| 17 | Navdeep Saini | Bowler | ₹2.60 Cr |
| 18 | Keshav Maharaj | All-rounder | ₹50 L |
| 19 | Donovan Ferreira | All-rounder | ₹50 L |
| 20 | Abid Mushtaq | Bowler | ₹20 L |
RR Released Players 2026
Ahead of IPL 2026, Rajasthan Royals released several players to optimize their squad composition and improve team balance.
| S.No | Player Name | Role | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wanindu Hasaranga | All-rounder | Released |
| 2 | Maheesh Theekshana | Bowler | Released |
| 3 | Fazalhaq Farooqi | Bowler | Released |
| 4 | Akash Madhwal | Bowler | Released |
| 5 | Ashok Sharma | Bowler | Released |
| 6 | Kumar Kartikeya | Bowler | Released |
| 7 | Kunal Singh Rathore | Wicketkeeper | Released |
| 8 | Nitish Rana | All-rounder | Traded (DC) |
| 9 | Sanju Samson | Wicketkeeper | Traded (CSK) |
These decisions allowed the franchise to free up budget and invest in players who better align with their strategy.
Rajasthan Royals – Fully Updated History 2008 to 2025
Rajasthan Royals had a dream debut in the IPL, winning the first season ever in 2008 under captaincy of Shane Warne. The squad were considered underdogs heading into the tournament, but they soon proved everyone wrong with their stellar displays.
RR had a classic story arc after they achieved this early success. Though they were competitive for years, they weren’t able to recapture their championship-winning ways. But the franchise was able to shift focus towards developing young talent and instilling a strong team culture.
Over the last couple of years, Rajasthan Royals have come into their own with a balanced squad and rejuvenated performances.
Rise, Dominance & Early Heartbreaks
No period in Rajasthan Royals’ history has been as iconic as the 2008 IPL season. It was a great team effort and an outstanding tactical performance under Shane Warne for the title.
But the next seasons were not without issues. Despite boasting several talented players, RR was infamously inconsistent in those all-important matches. These early failures served as reminders of just how crucial consistency can be in a highly competitive league such as the IPL.
Thrillers, Comebacks and Ups and Downs
Rajasthan Royals have been involved in many memorable matches over the years. These upsets have made them quite possibly the most entertaining team in the IPL.
RR made a big comeback in 2022, reaching the IPL final. Finishing runners-up, the season was a watershed, and put them back in the conversation as players.
The squad has continued to gain steam since then, along with the team.
2025 Season – Full Overview
The Rajasthan Royals had a competitive but tough season of IPL 2025. The side had put up a strong display in the beginning, but failed to deliver during the later stages.
The top-order did well and all such but they struggled to close the games and defend totals. These issues did not jeopardize RR’s competitiveness during the season.
The campaign also offered significant inputs for the management regarding improvements that could be made in IPL 2026.
Leadership Changes
The 2025 season saw Sanju Samson once again leading the Rajasthan Royals. As a captain and batsman, he had an important role in leading the team.
The leadership group also had the assistance of experienced players like Jos Buttler and Ravichandran Ashwin, who mentored early-career players.
Performance Breakdown
Several aspects contributed for RR’s performance in 2025:
- Buttler and Jaiswal have strong opening partnerships
- Inconsistent middle-order performances
- Effective spin bowling from Chahal
- Challenges in death-over bowling
These factors spelled inconsistent results during the season.
Key Performers
Several players shone for Rajasthan Royals:
- Yashasvi Jaiswal provided consistent performances at the top
- Jos Buttler provided explosive starts
- The bowlers were led by Yuzvendra Chahal
- Sanju Samson chipped in with vital knocks
These players who contributed significantly to the overall performance of the team.
Finishing the Season
Rajasthan Royals completed their 2025 campaign with a handful of strong performances in the closing stages. The team didn’t make the playoffs, but definitely made strides in the right direction.
The end matches showcased the team’s potential and instilled confidence going into IPL 2026.
Updated RR Performance Table (Including 2025)
| Season | Matches | Wins | Losses | Final Standing | Top Run Scorer | Top Wicket Taker |
| 2008 | 16 | 13 | 3 | Champions | Shane Watson | Sohail Tanvir |
| 2013 | 16 | 10 | 6 | Playoffs | Shane Watson | James Faulkner |
| 2015 | 14 | 7 | 7 | League Stage | Ajinkya Rahane | Pravin Tambe |
| 2018 | 15 | 7 | 8 | Playoffs | Jos Buttler | Jofra Archer |
| 2022 | 17 | 10 | 7 | Runners-up | Jos Buttler | Yuzvendra Chahal |
| 2023 | 14 | 7 | 7 | League Stage | Yashasvi Jaiswal | Yuzvendra Chahal |
| 2025 | 14 | 7 | 7 | League Stage | Sanju Samson | Yuzvendra Chahal |
FAQs about Rajasthan Royals
Q1. How many IPL titles have the Rajasthan Royals won?
Rajasthan Royals have won one IPL title, which came in 2008.
Q2. Who is the captain of the Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026?
Sanju Samson is expected to lead the Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026.
Q3. What is the home stadium of RR?
Rajasthan Royals play their home matches at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.
Q4. Who was the first captain of Rajasthan Royals?
Shane Warne was the first captain and led RR to their first IPL title.
Q5. Who are the key players in RR squad?
Key players include Sanju Samson, Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Trent Boult.
Other Teams: CSK Squad IPL 2026 | DC Squad IPL 2026 | GT Squad IPL 2026