IPL 2025 Retention Players List Rajasthan Royals Probability and Mega Auction Strategy | RR Retention List 2025

As IPL 2025 approaches, Rajasthan Royals (RR) are strategizing their retention and auction plans to build a squad capable of challenging for the title. With Kumar Sangakkara as Director of Cricket, Rahul Dravid as Head Coach, and key support from Shane Bond (Assistant and Fast Bowling Coach) and Vikram Rathour (Batting Coach), RR has a solid coaching team ready to shape the future of the franchise.

In this article, we explore RR's expected core retentions, possible Right to Match (RTM) card options, key auction targets, and the franchise's strategy for emerging and foreign players, aiming to balance experience and young talent.

Rajasthan Royals (RR) are expected to retain some of their biggest stars who have been the backbone of the team in recent years. Here's a look at their likely retentions:

1. Sanju Samson

   • Sanju Samson, the captain and wicketkeeper-batsman, is a critical component of RR’s leadership and batting lineup. Over the past few seasons, Samson has not only played key knocks but also led the team admirably, especially in high-pressure chases. His ability to switch between anchor and aggressive batting makes him invaluable. RR will retain Samson for the stability and continuity he brings to their core​

2. Yashasvi Jaiswal

   • Yashasvi Jaiswal has evolved into one of the most promising young openers in the IPL. After a breakthrough IPL 2023 where he was among the top run-scorers, Jaiswal has become a consistent force at the top of the order for RR. His ability to score quickly in the powerplay and build big innings makes him one of the easiest choices for retention​

3. Riyan Parag

   • Riyan Parag, despite mixed performances, has shown moments of brilliance with both bat and ball. Known for his aggressive hitting and athletic fielding, Parag has been developing into a reliable middle-order batter. His bowling, especially in limited overs, adds depth to RR’s all-rounder department, making him a crucial retention​

4. Jos Buttler

   • Jos Buttler, one of the most explosive T20 batsmen in the world, has been a cornerstone of RR’s batting. His match-winning abilities at the top, coupled with his wicketkeeping skills, make him indispensable. Buttler’s consistency in IPL 2023, where he played several impactful knocks, solidifies his retention as one of RR’s premier foreign players​

These four core retentions would leave Rajasthan Royals with approximately ₹68 crore to use in the auction, giving them flexibility to target key additions

Right to Match (RTM) Options

Rajasthan Royals may utilize the RTM card to retain key players who could add significant value to the squad in the auction:

1. Prasidh Krishna (₹10 crore)

   • After missing IPL 2024 due to injury, Prasidh Krishna is expected to make a strong comeback. Known for his pace and ability to bowl in death overs, Krishna’s impact as a strike bowler makes him a potential RTM candidate. His control over the new ball and skill in the middle overs makes him critical to RR’s bowling attack​

2. Yuzvendra Chahal (₹6.5 crore)

   • Yuzvendra Chahal remains one of the top T20 spinners in the world. With his ability to pick wickets in the middle overs and change the course of matches, RR could use their RTM card on him. Chahal has been consistently delivering key performances and is considered a vital part of RR’s bowling unit​

Emerging Players Rajasthan Royals May Target

Rajasthan Royals have a reputation for nurturing young talent, and they are likely to continue this trend by targeting some emerging players:

1. Angkrish Raghuvanshi (from Kolkata Knight Riders)

   • Angkrish Raghuvanshi is a young, promising player who has made waves with his performances in domestic cricket and the IPL. Known for his aggressive batting at the top of the order, Raghuvanshi could provide Rajasthan Royals with additional firepower and long-term potential as a top-order batter. His ability to anchor innings and play attacking cricket makes him a valuable target for RR.

2. Nitish Kumar Reddy (from Sunrisers Hyderabad)

   • Nitish Kumar Reddy is an exciting all-rounder with the potential to provide balance to RR’s squad. His versatility with both bat and ball could make him a key target in the auction​

Key Auction Targets from Other Franchises

Rajasthan Royals will also look to strengthen their squad with targeted players from other franchises. Some key names include:

1. T Natarajan (from Sunrisers Hyderabad)

   • T Natarajan has made a name for himself as a reliable death bowler. His ability to deliver yorkers under pressure and control runs in crucial overs makes him an attractive option for RR, especially to bolster their pace attack in the death​.

2. Ayush Badoni (from Lucknow Super Giants)

   • A young, promising middle-order batsman, Ayush Badoni has shown glimpses of his talent with some crucial knocks for Lucknow. RR may target him to add depth to their middle-order and develop a future star for the team​

Foreign Players Rajasthan Royals May Target

Rajasthan Royals are known for their reliance on overseas players, and they are likely to target a few international stars in the 2025 auction:

1. Lungi Ngidi (South Africa)

   • Lungi Ngidi offers raw pace and wicket-taking ability, especially in the middle and death overs. He could form a strong pace trio with Prasidh Krishna and Trent Boult if RR decides to go after him in the auction​

2. Daryl Mitchell (New Zealand)

   • Daryl Mitchell, known for his all-round ability, could be a valuable addition to RR’s squad. His ability to bat in different positions and contribute with the ball makes him a versatile option, especially in the lower middle-order

Complete Expected Squad and Winning Combination

Here’s a probable Rajasthan Royals squad for IPL 2025, based on expected retentions, RTM options, and key auction targets:

Top Order:

• Sanju Samson (Captain, Wicketkeeper)
• Yashasvi Jaiswal
• Jos Buttler
• Angkrish Raghuvanshi

Middle Order and All-Rounders:

• Riyan Parag
• Ayush Badoni (Auction Target)
• Daryl Mitchell (Auction Target)
• Nitish Kumar Reddy

Pace Attack:

• Prasidh Krishna (RTM)
• T Natarajan (Auction Target)
• Lungi Ngidi (Auction Target)
• Navdeep Saini

Spin Department:

• Yuzvendra Chahal (RTM)
• Adam Zampa

With these combinations, Rajasthan Royals can address their past weaknesses and aim for a balanced squad capable of making a deep run in IPL 2025.

Over the years, Rajasthan Royals (RR) have experienced a mixed record in the IPL. Despite their memorable triumph in 2008, when Shane Warne led them to victory with a squad of largely unknown players, consistency has eluded them. From 2009 to 2013, RR struggled to break into the top four consistently, though they made the playoffs in 2013. Between 2014 and 2015, the team showed glimpses of form with consecutive playoff appearances but failed to make it past the knockout stages. The franchise’s suspension in 2016 and 2017 due to their involvement in the spot-fixing scandal hampered their progress. Since returning in 2018, the team has remained inconsistent, despite boasting talents like Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson, and Jofra Archer. Their best performance came in 2022 when they reached the final but fell short against Gujarat Titans.

Rajasthan Royals (RR) IPL 2024 team with player names and prices:

1. Sanju Samson – ₹14.00 crore
2. Jos Buttler – ₹10.00 crore
3. Prasidh Krishna – ₹10.00 crore
4. Avesh Khan – ₹10.00 crore
5. Shimron Hetmyer – ₹8.50 crore
6. Trent Boult – ₹8.00 crore
7. Rovman Powell – ₹7.40 crore
8. Yuzvendra Chahal – ₹6.50 crore
9. Shubham Dubey – ₹5.80 crore
10. Ravichandran Ashwin – ₹5.00 crore
11. Yashasvi Jaiswal – ₹4.00 crore
12. Riyan Parag – ₹3.80 crore
13. Navdeep Saini – ₹2.60 crore
14. Adam Zampa – ₹1.50 crore
15. Sandeep Sharma – ₹0.50 crore
16. Donovan Ferreira – ₹0.50 crore
17. Nandre Burger – ₹0.50 crore
18. Tom Kohler-Cadmore – ₹0.40 crore
19. Kuldeep Sen – ₹0.20 crore
20. Dhruv Jurel – ₹0.20 crore
21. Abid Mushtaq – ₹0.20 crore
22. Kunal Singh Rathore – ₹0.20 crore

Key areas of struggle have plagued Rajasthan Royals over the years, starting with inconsistent leadership. While Shane Warne set the tone for the team in its inaugural year, the franchise has struggled to find a captain who can lead consistently. Though Sanju Samson has shown promise in recent years, the team often appears fragmented in high-pressure situations. The bowling department has also been a weak point, with standout performances from individuals like Jofra Archer and Yuzvendra Chahal being offset by a general lack of depth, especially in pace. Injuries to key players like Prasidh Krishna further hurt their balance.

Additionally, RR has had an over-reliance on foreign players like Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes. While these stars have often delivered, injuries or international commitments have left the team exposed, with the Indian core struggling to step up. Another long-standing issue has been the middle-order, which has consistently failed to provide stability. Despite having power-hitters like Shimron Hetmyer and Riyan Parag, the middle-order collapses in key games have been a recurring theme.

To succeed in future IPL seasons, RR will need to address several departments. First, the middle-order stability needs reinforcement, either through developing young Indian players or bringing in experienced campaigners during the auction. Secondly, the pace bowling depth must improve. Injuries to key pacers and over-reliance on foreign fast bowlers have left them vulnerable. Building a solid core of reliable Indian pacers or securing strong backups will be crucial. Finally, the spin department requires another high-impact spinner alongside Yuzvendra Chahal. If Chahal is released, targeting a player like Rashid Khan could help RR control the middle overs and put pressure on opposing teams.

By addressing these areas of concern, Rajasthan Royals can aim for greater consistency and possibly add another IPL title to their 2008 triumph.