Rajasthan Royals (RR) full squad composition, Probable playing XI and IPL 2025 auction analysis. How did Rajasthan fare at the IPL 2025 Auction? A complete Rajasthan Royals squad analysis.
After a fantastic last season, Rajasthan Royals (RR) made strategic moves in the two-day Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction. They acquired 14 players during the mega auction, which happened in Jeddah.
RR brought back England pacer Jofra Archer, who had previously played for the team. Archer emerged as the most expensive buy for the Royals, as they signed him for a whopping sum of 12.50 crore INR. Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga were also bought, adding more muscle and quality to their overseas ranks. The team also turned heads by signing 13-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who fetched 1.10 crore INR.
With a potent batting lineup at their disposal, RR concentrated heavily on strengthening their bowling unit by adding notable players to their lineup. The team boast a perfect blend of experienced campaigners and young talents.
Ahead of the auction, the Royals retained six players: Sanju Samson (18 crore INR), Yashasvi Jaiswal (18 crore INR), Riyan Parag (14 crore INR), Dhruv Jurel (14 crore INR), Shimron Hetmyer (11 crore INR), and Sandeep Sharma (4 crore INR).
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Let’s take a closer look at the RR squad and analyse how the group is developing as a whole before the eagerly anticipated IPL 2025 season.
Rajasthan Royals squad composition IPL 2025
Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Sandeep Sharma, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Wanindu Hasaranga, Akash Madhwal, Kumar Kartikeya, Nitish Rana, Tushar Deshpande, Shubham Dubey, Yudhvir Singh, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Kwena Maphaka, Kunal Rathore, Ashok Sharma
Batters & Wicket-keepers
The Rajasthan Royals batting core remains as powerful as ever. Before the auction, RR kept their batting line-up intact by retaining players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, and Shimron Hetmyer. They have a decent amount of batting in their squad with explosive top and middle-order batters.
However, they lack backup finishers. RR’s retention, which mostly consisted of batters, pretty much summed up their top five in the batting order. But they needed to rope in some big hitters to fill in the void created by the departure of Jos Buttler and Rovman Powell. Apart from Nitish Rana, the side hardly recruited any big hitters.
Rajasthan Royals have invested in Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and captain Sanju Samson, and it is now time for them to reap the rewards. More importantly, their capped India retentions are flying high on the international stage, which will bring increased confidence. Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the newest addition to the squad, will bring a fresh perspective at the top of the order. Additionally, they have Shubham Dubey, a middle-order batter who can score important runs.
RR have three wicket-keeping options in the form of Samson, Jurel, and Kunal Rathore. Rathore, the young wicketkeeper batter, will now don the Royals jersey. He received recognition for his achievements in domestic cricket.
Nevertheless, RR lacks a decent impact player option. Also, it will be challenging for them to get their batting deep. They have decent batting options until No. 7-8, but it will be interesting to watch how they will extend their batting further.
List of specialist batters/wicket keepers: Sanju Samson (wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Kunal Rathore (wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shimron Hetmyer, Shubham Dubey, Vaibhav Suryavanshi
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All-rounders
The Royals continue to support all-rounder Riyan Parag’s potential after he maintained his finishing skills and useful spin last season. He is one of the key hitters in the RR squad and a good contributor with the ball. The Royals boosted their all-rounders’ strength with the inclusion of Sri Lanka star Wanindu Hasaranga.
RR also acquired Nitish Rana, who brings a wealth of experience from domestic cricket and the IPL. He has the potential to be a crucial player for any team and is likely to secure a spot in Rajasthan’s playing XI. Rana is reliable against pace and can adapt his batting position based on the team’s requirements. Additionally, his left-handedness brings a strategic advantage to the team’s middle order. The Royals also have another all-round option in the form of Yudhvir Singh.
List of all-rounders: Riyan Parag, Wanindu Hasaranga, Nitish Rana, Yudhvir Singh
Bowlers
RR’s bowling unit also seems sorted. Maheesh Theekshana is going to be the main spinner of the team. In pace bowling, they will have multiple options as they have numerous quality pacers in the squad. Sandeep Sharma and Jofra Archer are both capable of bowling at the start and during the death overs. The Sri Lanka spinner, Theekshana, is another powerplay option, with Wanindu Hasaranga a bona fide wicket-taker through the middle overs. Tushar Deshpande, meanwhile, can bowl across phases, and even though his economy rate is a bit higher than ideal, he has a knack for taking wickets.
However, the biggest concern for the Royals in this squad is the lack of services from any reputed India spinner. RR were expected to attempt to buy back either Ravichandran Ashwin or Yuzvendra Chahal, but that wasn’t the case. Chahal was a vital asset for the Royals, but still, they didn’t get him back. Instead, now the team is dependent on the Sri Lanka duo of Theekshana-Hasaranga to deliver in the spin department.
List of specialist bowlers: Sandeep Sharma, Jofra Archer, Kwena Maphaka, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Akash Madhwal, Tushar Deshpande, Maheesh Theekshana, Ashok Sharma, Kumar Kartikeya
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Rajasthan Royals probable Playing XI for IPL 2025
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (c&wk), Nitish Rana, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Jofra Archer, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Sandeep Sharma, and Tushar Deshpande
Conclusion
The Rajasthan Royals can assemble a superb playing eleven. But if players start breaking down, they will have to scurry frantically for answers. While the top and middle-order batters of RR look settled, the team’s lower-order batting depth appears to be a concern. Whereas, the Royals possess seam bowling options that offer variety and skill, contributing to the team’s bowling attack.
However, the lack of quality spin options raises questions about the team’s ability to effectively tackle different batting line-ups, especially in spin-friendly conditions. With a lack of standout spin options, it will be interesting to see how the team will apply pressure and pick up crucial wickets in the middle overs.
RR have plenty of match-winners, irrespective of where and who they play. This will make them a dangerous outfit. But IPL seasons are often a test of endurance rather than a dash to the line, and their lack of squad depth, over two and a half months of high-octane action, is probably what might pull the Royals down and make their way difficult for the playoffs.
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