Six Players Rajasthan Royals Should Retain

Six Players Rajasthan Royals Should Retain: Rajasthan Royals have had a couple of good seasons in the IPLs over the past three years. One of the best-looking teams following the 2022 mega auction, the team reached the final for the second time in their history that season. In the two years since, the Royals have gotten off to a brilliant start to the season, making the playoffs in 2024 as well.

Under the new retention rules for IPL 2025, teams can retain up to six players, a maximum of five of which can be capped. There is no limit to overseas players in capped retentions. There can also be a maximum of two uncapped retentions. It should also be noted that if a team does not use up all of its retention slots, they can use Right To Match (RTM) for one of their players in the auction. This also means that multiple players in this list can instead be retained via RTM.

Looking to win the championship for a second time, the inaugural IPL champions have a strong team to retain players from. It remains to be seen whether they make the correct choices like they did in 2022.

Here are five players that Rajasthan Royals should retain for IPL 2025.

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Six Players Rajasthan Royals Should Retain in IPL 2025

1) Sanju Samson – 18 Crore

The highest run scorer in franchise history, Sanju Samson is a proper Rajasthan Royals. Having been the captain of the franchise for a few years now, he has led the Royals to some success as the skipper.

Not only that, but Sanju has also been a reliable middle-order batter for the team that has had his best IPL season in 2024. Having become a regular in the Indian national team, Samson was the first of his kind as a young Indian batter who was picked by an IPL franchise as their captain, something that has become somewhat of a trend now.

This will be the second mega-auction cycle where Rajasthan will go into with Sanju Samson as their leading figure.

2) Yashasvi Jaiswal – 14 Crore

Yashasvi Jaiswal is arguably the most promising young batter in world cricket. A regular opener in all three formats, Jaiswal is a true Rajasthan Royals find. Having been signed by the franchise as a U-19 prospect, the Mumbai-based opener has emerged as the best opening batter in India at the moment.

Having had his breakout season in 2024, Yashasvi Jaiswal will not only be a major piece of the puzzle for RR but will also be a contender for the Orange Cap in the upcoming seasons of the IPL.

This is a player that the Royals will hope to be their premier Indian batter for years to come, maybe even the next decade.

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3) Riyan Parag – 11 Crore

After years of being trolled as an ‘IPL flop’, Ryan Parag came into his own in 2024. After an electrifying season in domestic cricket, Parag set the IPL on fire, becoming the Rajasthan Royals’ highest run scorer in 2024.

Riyan is a stylish batter who can even give the side a few good overs of spin. He showed his promise for a few years before realising his true potential. Having now made his India debut, the Assamese all-rounder is now one of the most exciting Indian prospects.

4) Jos Buttler – 18 Crore

One of the biggest match winners in IPL history, Jos Buttler is among the greatest overseas players in league history. At some point in 2010, the Rajasthan Royal went through an ‘English phase’, having multiple England internationals in their teams. And while most of them performed well, Buttler is the only one of them who has gone on to become a franchise legend.

Right behind Virat Kohli in the list of most IPL 100s, you can be sure that Jos Buttler will win you at least 2-3 matches a season on your own, which is more than what can be asked of a top-class player.

A proven commodity in the league, Jos Buttler is one of the few English players who deserves such a massive price tag in the IPL.

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5) Yuzvendra Chahal – 14 Crore

This might be a controversial pick, as some would pick Trent Boult in this place. But the truth is that a quality wrist spinner is one of the nearest commodities in world cricket, and one as proven in this league like Yuzvendra Chahal is worth his weight in gold.

While Chahal might have fallen out of favour with the national team, he is still a top IPL bowler. In fact, he became the highest wicket-taker in IPL history last season, breaking the 200-wicket mark. Despite having a ‘weak’ season, Yuzu still took 18 wickets in 15 matches for the Rajasthan Royals.

He is one of only three wrist spinners today who have proven themselves in the league. And losing a player like this would be foolish, something that the Royal Challengers Bengaluru have learnt in the past.

6) Sandeep Sharma (Uncapped) – 4 Crore

While yes, Sandeep Sharma has represented India on the international level. But he is one of the players who will come under the “MS Dhoni rule,” which is seeing players who have not played for the national team in five years be considered uncapped.

Sandeep Sharma has done well for several franchises in his underrated IPL career. But he had a comeback season in the league in 2023, emerging as a fine death-over bowler in a team that severely lacked one.

‘Sandy’ is now a reliable hand for the Rajasthan Royals, who can be a solid backup option or even a regular starter depending upon the team’s composition.