Rajasthan Royals Probable Retention List for IPL 2026 Mini-Auction: From Yashasvi Jaiswal to Akash Madhwal – Full Details

After an unsatisfactory IPL 2025 campaign, Rajasthan Royals (RR) are looking at major changes in their squad ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction. Almost certainly, reports now suggest that opus Sanju Samson might cease to be with the franchise; hence, RR management is set to establish another core led by young Indian prospects and with a far more potent bowling attack overseas.

🏏 Key Indian Players Likely to Be Retained

Leading the probable retention list would be Yashasvi Jaiswal. He was the highest run-scorer for RR last season. Other than him, the franchise is likely to have Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Rana, and Vaibhav Suryavanshi for the coming seasons. These players form the skeleton of the team domestically and are seen as the future of the Royals.

🌍 Overseas and Bowling Core

With international players available to RR, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Wanindu Hasaranga, Nandre Burger, and Akash Madhwal may dominate their bowling faculty. Shimron Hetmyer and Lhuan-dre Pretorius will be expected to bring balance and depth to the middle order with South African pacer Kwena Maphaka coming under consideration as a possible breakout talent.

🔄 A Balance of Youth and Experience

The Royals are now trying to create the ideal balance within their team by releasing a few senior players and thereby allowing some cash to be available to hire a couple of good finishers and all-rounders. They want to build a team that can withstand and excel in a variety of different match conditions all of which was a stringent test of their capabilities in IPL 2025.

The official retention list will be known and released before the IPL 2026 mini-auction in November 2025, as RR looks to make its final charge to lock among the top contenders for the tournament.