IPL 2026

Rajasthan Royals | RR 2026 Squad, Players, Stats, and Season Preview

Feb. 19, 2026

Rajasthan Royals (RR) are one of the most iconic franchises in IPL history, winning the inaugural season in 2008 under Shane Warne. The team has built its identity around smart scouting, developing young Indian players, and maintaining a balanced squad rather than relying only on big-name signings. RR is owned by Emerging Media, led by Manoj Badale, with additional investment from RedBird Capital Partners and Lachlan Murdoch. Their home matches are played at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, with Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati serving as their secondary venue. Rajasthan Royals' recent seasons have been a study in inconsistency. After a brilliant run to the final in 2022 where they finished runners-up the team struggled to maintain that level. They missed the playoffs entirely in 2023 (5th place), made it back in 2024 (3rd place, losing Qualifier 2 to Sunrisers Hyderabad), and then endured their worst season in franchise history in 2025, finishing 9th with just 4 wins from 14 matches. The 2025 campaign was further hampered by captain Sanju Samson's mid-season injury, which saw Riyan Parag step in. It is against this backdrop of underperformance that the 2026 rebuild takes on added urgency. Their success in recent years was driven by a solid Indian core, including former captain Sanju Samson (now with CSK), Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Riyan Parag, supported by a reliable bowling attack that performs well across all phases of the game. For IPL 2026, RR enter the season as serious title contenders under head coach Kumar Sangakkara. With a settled squad and experienced leadership, the focus is on turning consistent performances into a championship win. The team’s strength lies in its balanced lineup, combining aggressive batting with disciplined bowling, giving them a strong chance to compete for the title.

RR At a Glance (IPL 2026)

  • Captain: Riyan Parag
Appointed captain in February 2026, replacing Sanju Samson. At 24, he becomes one of the youngest captains in the league.
  • Head Coach: Kumar Sangakkara
Returns as Head Coach and Director of Cricket, bringing continuity and a strong tactical foundation after Rahul Dravid’s tenure ended in 2025.
  • Key Additions:
Ravindra Jadeja (Traded from CSK) Sam Curran (Traded from CSK) Ravi Bishnoi (₹7.20 crore) Adam Milne (₹2.40 crore) Donovan Ferreira (Traded from DC)
  • Biggest Exit: Sanju Samson
Former captain and leading run-scorer was traded to CSK.
  • Auction Strategy: Targeted and role-focused
  • Squad Strength: Strong all-round depth and bowling coverage
With Jadeja, Curran, Archer, and Bishnoi, RR now have wicket-taking and control options across all match phases.
  • Squad Concern: Batting balance and finishing reliability
The lineup has many left-hand batters and lacks a proven Indian finisher, which could affect flexibility in close matches.

Rajasthan Royals Squad (IPL 2026)

Batters & Wicketkeepers (RR 2026)

Player Role Batting Style
Yashasvi Jaiswal Opening Batter Left hand Bat
Riyan Parag (C) Top order Batter Right hand Bat
Shimron Hetmyer Middle order Batter Left hand Bat
Dhruv Jurel (WK) Wicketkeeper Batter Right hand Bat
Lhuan-dre Pretorius (WK) Wicketkeeper Batter Left hand Bat
Vaibhav Suryavanshi Top order Batter Left hand Bat
Shubham Dubey Middle order Batter Left hand Bat
Aman Rao Opening Batter Right hand Bat
Ravi Singh Middle order Batter Left hand Bat

All-rounders (RR 2026)

Player Role Batting Style Bowling Style
Ravindra Jadeja Allrounder Left hand Bat Left arm Orthodox
Sam Curran Allrounder Left hand Bat Left arm Medium fast
Donovan Ferreira Allrounder Right hand Bat Right arm Offbreak

Bowlers (RR 2026)

Player Bowling Style Role
Jofra Archer Right arm Fast Strike bowler
Ravi Bishnoi Legbreak Googly Strike spinner
Sandeep Sharma Right arm Medium Swing bowler
Adam Milne Right arm Fast Overseas pace option
Tushar Deshpande Right arm Medium Seam bowler
Nandre Burger Left arm Fast medium Pace bowler
Kuldeep Sen Right arm Fast Pace bowler
Kwena Maphaka Left arm Fast Young pace option
Sushant Mishra Left arm Medium fast Pace bowler
Vignesh Puthur Left arm Wrist spin Spinner
Yudhvir Singh Right arm Medium fast Pace bowler
Brijesh Sharma Right arm Medium Pace bowler
Yash Raj Punja Legbreak Googly Spinner

IPL 2026 Trade / Transfer Summary (RR)

  • Players Traded In:
    • Ravindra Jadeja (from CSK)
    • Sam Curran (from CSK)
    • Donovan Ferreira (from DC)
  • Players Traded Out:
    • Sanju Samson (to CSK)
    • Nitish Rana (to DC)
  • Released Players:
    • Overseas: Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Fazalhaq Farooqi
    • Indian: Akash Madhwal, Kumar Kartikeya, Ashok Sharma, Kunal Singh Rathore

Batters & Wicketkeepers Analysis (RR 2026)

Player Tournament Mat Runs HS Ave SR 50s 100s
Yashasvi Jaiswal IPL 67 2166 124 34.38 152.85 15 2
Riyan Parag IPL 84 1566 95 26.10 141.84 7 0
Shimron Hetmyer IPL 86 1482 75 29.05 151.84 5 0
Dhruv Jurel IPL 42 680 70 28.33 153.84 4 0
Vaibhav Suryavanshi IPL 7 252 101 36.00 206.55 1 1
Shubham Dubey IPL 13 139 34* 23.16 163.52 0 0
Lhuan-dre Pretorius SA20 24 621 98* 28.22 147.15 5 0
Aman Rao T20s 11 301 67* 33.44 162.70 2 0
Ravi Singh T20s 10 295 68* 42.14 174.55 2 0
  • Yashasvi Jaiswal defines the top order’s scoring ceiling With 2166 IPL runs at 152.85 strike rate, he provides explosive starts and ensures RR maintains early scoring momentum.
  • Riyan Parag anchors the batting core and leadership With 1566 IPL runs, he now carries dual responsibility as captain and middle-order stabilizer, shaping the team’s innings direction.
  • Dhruv Jurel strengthens the middle order with finishing reliability His 153.84 strike rate and 680 IPL runs highlight his ability to finish innings and maintain scoring continuity under pressure.
  • Shimron Hetmyer remains the primary overseas finishing specialist His 151.84 IPL strike rate ensures RR retains proven late-innings acceleration capability in high-pressure situations.
  • Vaibhav Suryavanshi introduces high-risk, high-reward top-order impact. In IPL 2025, Suryavanshi became the youngest player to score a century in IPL history with a stunning milestone achieved at just 14 years old against Gujarat Titans. His 206.55 strike rate and record-breaking hundred show match-changing potential that could redefine RR's top-order for years to come.
  • Lhuan-dre Pretorius expands overseas batting flexibility With 621 SA20 runs at 147.15 strike rate, he provides adaptable depth across opening and middle-order positions.
  • Aman Rao strengthens domestic top-order depth with strong conversion ability His 301 runs at 162.70 strike rate in T20s demonstrate readiness to provide aggressive starts when required.
  • Ravi Singh adds emerging domestic middle-order stability His 42.14 T20 average and 174.55 strike rate indicate strong finishing and rotational flexibility.

All-rounders Analysis (RR 2026)

Batting Contribution

Player Tournament Mat Runs SR 50s 100s
Ravindra Jadeja IPL 254 3260 130.29 5 0
Sam Curran IPL 64 997 136.38 6 0
Donovan Ferreira SA20 41 555 154.59 3 0

Bowling Contribution

Player Tournament Mat Wkts Best Ave Econ
Ravindra Jadeja IPL 254 170 5/16 30.51 7.67
Sam Curran IPL 64 59 4/11 34.45 9.73
Donovan Ferreira SA20 41 16 3/23 18.75 6.52
  • Ravindra Jadeja anchors the all-round balance across both disciplines — and his return to RR is one of the most talked-about stories of the IPL 2026 trade window Jadeja began his IPL career with Rajasthan Royals in the inaugural 2008 season and was part of the title-winning squad under Shane Warne. After 13 seasons with CSK, he returns to where it all started a full-circle homecoming. With 3260 IPL runs and 170 wickets, he provides control, finishing depth, and tactical stability, along with the experience of a multiple IPL champion
  • Sam Curran strengthens pace depth and middle-order batting flexibility His 997 IPL runs and 59 wickets allow RR to maintain balance without compromising bowling strength.
  • Donovan Ferreira adds explosive lower-order acceleration and secondary spin coverage His 154.59 strike rate in SA20 ensures finishing strength while providing part-time bowling flexibility.
  • The all-rounder unit ensures structural balance without overdependence on overseas slots With multiple players capable of contributing in both departments, RR can maintain tactical flexibility across conditions.

Bowlers Analysis (RR 2026)

Player Tournament Mat Wkts Best Ave Econ
Jofra Archer IPL 52 59 3/15 27.15 7.89
Sandeep Sharma IPL 137 146 5/18 27.87 8.03
Ravi Bishnoi IPL 77 72 3/24 31.06 8.21
Adam Milne IPL 10 7 2/21 46.71 9.47
Nandre Burger IPL 6 7 2/29 20.71 8.52
Kuldeep Sen IPL 12 14 4/20 27.64 9.63
Vignesh Puthur IPL 5 6 3/32 18.16 9.08
Yudhvir Singh IPL 9 8 3/47 31.62 11.00
Kwena Maphaka SA20 17 10 2/22 50.10 9.95
Sushant Mishra T20s 15 29 4/28 18.20 9.05
(Brijesh Sharma and Yash Raj Punja are developmental domestic bowlers with strong recent league performances but no IPL record yet.)
  • Jofra Archer leads the pace attack with elite wicket-taking ability. With 59 IPL wickets at 7.89 economy, he provides early breakthroughs and death-over control. Jofra Archer's fitness for IPL 2026 remains a key watch point a recurring concern given his injury history. He was ruled out mid-season in 2025 with a thumb injury and picked up a back strain during the Ashes in December 2025. RR retained him at ₹12.50 crore, backing his match-winning ability, but his availability across the full season is not guaranteed
  • Ravi Bishnoi anchors the spin department as the primary wicket-taking option With 72 IPL wickets, he ensures consistent middle-over breakthroughs.
  • Sandeep Sharma provides experienced new-ball and death-over control His 146 IPL wickets and 8.03 economy make him one of the most reliable phase specialists.
  • Adam Milne strengthens overseas pace depth with elite strike efficiency His 14 wickets in Major League Cricket at 10.57 average highlight his wicket-taking capability.
  • Nandre Burger adds left-arm pace variation and powerplay threat His 7 wickets in just 6 IPL matches show high-impact potential.
  • Tushar Deshpande reinforces domestic pace stability With 135 T20 wickets, he provides reliable overs across phases.
  • Kuldeep Sen expands fast-bowling rotation strength His 14 IPL wickets at 17.2 strike rate demonstrate strong wicket-taking efficiency.
  • Vignesh Puthur adds mystery spin variation His 6 wickets in 5 IPL matches strengthen RR’s tactical spin flexibility.
  • The bowling unit is structured around pace aggression and spin control With Archer leading pace and Bishnoi anchoring spin, RR maintain balance across all match phases.

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RR in IPL 2025: A Season to Forget

IPL 2025 was Rajasthan Royals' worst season in franchise history. The team finished 9th on the points table, winning just 4 of their 14 matches the second-worst record in the league that year. The campaign was derailed early by captain Sanju Samson's mid-season abdominal injury, forcing Riyan Parag into the captaincy role. Despite Parag's personal form (393 runs at a strike rate of 166), the team struggled for consistency, losing five consecutive matches at one stage and being the second team knocked out of playoff contention. There were individual bright spots: Yashasvi Jaiswal finished as the team's top scorer with 559 runs, and Vaibhav Suryavanshi became the youngest century-maker in IPL history with a 35-ball hundred against Gujarat Titans. Jofra Archer, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Maheesh Theekshana each took 11 wickets the most for RR that season but were unable to carry the team through. The 2025 collapse made it clear that structural changes were necessary. The trade of Sanju Samson to CSK, the acquisition of Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran, and the appointment of Kumar Sangakkara back as head coach are all direct responses to that difficult season.

Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions (RR IPL 2026)

1. Who is the captain of Rajasthan Royals for IPL 2026? Riyan Parag was appointed captain in February 2026. At 24, he leads RR into a new era following Sanju Samson’s departure and represents the franchise’s long-term leadership transition. 2. Who is the head coach of RR for IPL 2026? Kumar Sangakkara returns as Head Coach and Director of Cricket. His experience and familiarity with the franchise provide continuity during this leadership and squad transition phase. 3. Who were RR’s key additions for IPL 2026? RR strengthened their core by acquiring Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran via trade, and signing Ravi Bishnoi and Adam Milne in the auction to reinforce spin control and pace depth. 4. What is RR’s home ground for IPL 2026? RR will play most home matches at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, with selected matches hosted at Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati as part of their dual-venue home strategy. 5. What is RR’s biggest strength heading into IPL 2026? All-round balance is the squad’s biggest strength. With Jadeja, Curran, and Parag, RR can maintain bowling depth while extending batting stability through the lower middle order. 6. Who was RR’s most significant exit before IPL 2026? Sanju Samson was traded to Chennai Super Kings in a major squad reshaping move, ending his long tenure as captain and one of RR’s most important batters. 7. Who is the predicted breakout player for RR in IPL 2026? Vaibhav Suryavanshi is viewed as a major emerging talent. His strong domestic and youth international performances position him as a potential future top-order mainstay. 8. What is RR’s core tactical strategy for IPL 2026? RR’s strategy focuses on pace aggression and spin control, using Archer and Burger for early breakthroughs and Jadeja and Bishnoi to control the middle overs. 9. How did RR approach the IPL 2026 auction? RR used a targeted approach, focusing on specific roles rather than major squad changes, prioritizing bowling depth and specialist skill coverage. 10. What are expectations for RR in IPL 2026? RR are expected to compete for playoff qualification, with their balanced squad and strengthened bowling unit positioning them as strong contenders.

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