The auctions for the upcoming 2026 Women’s Premier League concluded in New Delhi, and now the attention will shift to the 2026 Indian Premier League, whose auctions were held in Abu Dhabi on December 16. Every franchise bid for some of the finest talents in the T20 format, which would provide the right balance in all departments and give them a brief outline for selecting the right combination. In this piece, we discuss the ideal playing eleven of Rajasthan Royals 2026 for the next IPL season.
Rajasthan Royals surprised the cricketing world after winning the first edition of the IPL in 2008 under the charismatic captaincy of late legendary Australian leg spinner Shane Warne. Every season, the team produces the brightest talents, who impress everyone with their performances. The team management has honed the skills of some of the finest match winners who have achieved success in the shorter format.
Former India legend and coach Rahul Dravid’s calm temperament helped the team produce the desired results during demanding situations.
Wicket-keeper batter Sanju Samson was the topic of discussion on whether he would captain the side, but Rajasthan Royals engaged in an exchange deal with Chennai Super Kings, so now the 31-year-old will play for CSK.
Ideal Playing XI and Overview of Rajasthan Royals squad for IPL 2026- Playing XI
1.Yashasvi Jaiswal (batter)
2. Vaibhav Suryavanshi (batter)
3.Dhruv Jurel (wk batter)
4.Riyan Parag (batting all rounder)
5.Shimron Hetmyer (batter)
6.Ravindra Jadeja (all rounder)
7. Sam Curran (all rounder)
8.Nandre Burger (bowler)
9.Jofra Archer (bowler)
10. Sushant Mishra (bowler)
11. Yudhvir Singh Charak (all rounder)
12. Shubham Dubey (Impact Player)
We selected the playing eleven depending on the players’ current form and their ability to deliver match-winning performances during crunch situations, as well as their experience. Rajasthan Royals finished at the 9th position in the 2025 season, and during the 2024 season, the team finished at the 3rd position with 17 points, making it to the qualifiers. The team hasn’t won an IPL trophy since winning it in 2008. Former Sri Lankan skipper and wicket-keeper batter Kumar Sangakkara has been announced as the head coach for the 2026 season. Vikram Rathour will be the lead assistant coach, former New Zealand pacer Shane Bond will be the bowling coach, and Trevor Penny will be the assistant coach. The team management needs to get the team composition right, as the team consists of some match-winning performers as the team’s depth in every department is pretty clear after the retainer list was announced by the franchise. Yashaswi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Jofra Archer, etc, are some of the finest performers who have been retained for the next season. After Sanju Samson’s exchange deal with CSK, Ravindra Jadeja could be the captain of the Rajasthan Royals for the next season. When it comes to new signings, New Zealand pacer Adam Milne was signed for a sum of INR 2.4 crore while Ravi Bishnoi was signed for a sum of INR 7.2 crore. The leg spinner claimed 9 wickets in 11 IPL games during the 2025 season. The team has some of the finest all-rounders like Sam Curran and Ravindra Jadeja, as well as some destructive hitters like Shimron Hetmyer, among others. The bowling lineup is penetrative with the likes of Jofra Archer and Sam Curran effective with the new ball as well as with the old ball.
Who can be ideal for the role of openers, middle order batters, all-rounders and bowling attack?
Currently, there are two batters Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Suryavanshi who are looking in prime form and the best options as openers. Both are capable of providing electric starts in the power play, as both have showcased destructive hitting with attractive strike rates consistently. In the middle order, Dhruv Jurel can provide stability as a one-down player, while Riyan Parag and Shimron Hetmyer can smash the opposition bowlers in the middle order with their poaching abilities while Ravindra Jadeja can steady the innings during pressure situations with his experience and is capable of playing big shots when needed. When it comes to the all-rounders, Ravindra Jadeja is undoubtedly amongst the finest all-rounders who can change the outcome of any game with the bat as well as with the ball. Sam Curran is another resourceful addition who is penetrative with his medium pace and can hit some big ones when the asking rate is higher. Yudhvir Singh is another upcoming fast-bowling all-rounder who can add width with his medium pace and can have a crack at the opposition with the bat when needed. Riyan Parag can also be a healthy option, as we all know, he can crack any bowling apart and can take crucial wickets with his deceptive off-spin in the middle overs. When it comes to death overs specialists, Jofra Archer is the one who can be brutal with his Yorkers. The England pacer can bowl fast, full-length deliveries to contain the scoring rate. Sam Curran, on the other hand, can tuck the batters with his length and his ability to change the pace. Rajasthan Royals can take advantage of home conditions as they have done it in the past. The team has won 37 out of the 57 games played at home with a success rate of 66%. When it comes to spinners, Ravindra Jadeja is the one who can be the one who can claim crucial wickets. Leg spinner Ravi Bishnoi is the other option who can outsmart the batters during the run of play with his clever googlies.
Impact player options
Shubham Dubey could be a valuable option as an impact player when it comes to scoring a big target, as the left-hander is known for his powerful hitting. Tushar Deshpande is another option that can be trusted as an impact player, as the medium pacer has the knack of breaking partnerships in critical situations. The 30-year-old bowled decently during the 2025 IPL season, claiming 9 wickets in 10 IPL games for Chennai Super Kings.
Alterations that can be made in the playing eleven
case of an injury, the team has enough options in all departments. In the pace department, the emergence of 19-year-old South African pacer Kwen Maphaka could be a valuable addition as well as Yudhvir Singh Charak, who can surprise the batters with his pace and bounce.
Team strengths based on the ideal playing XI
With Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Suryavanshi as openers, the team can look forward to a cracking start during the power play. Dhruv Jurel can add contribution as one down batter and if Shimron Hetmyer and Riyan Parag are sent in at no 4 and 5 then Rajasthan Royals can be a dominating batting unit. Sushant Mishra can be a surprise addition to add depth in the pace department. Sandeep Sharma is another experienced T20 bowler while the likes of wrist spinner Vignesh Puthur and medium pacer Brijesh Sharma can be handful.
Possible Weaknesses of Rajasthan Royals
If any team is strong in some areas there is bound to be some weaknesses that it can improve on. When we talk about the reserves the team possesses it looks an accomplished set up but there are some minor faultlines especially when it comes to the middle order which the team management will review.
The middle order looks little bit inexperienced as players like Riyan Parag and Dhruv Jurel are still learning while Shimron Hetmyer is more like a pinch hitter. When it comes to the spinners, except Ravindra Jadeja This is another are where the team management needs to look at.
Alongside this, there shouldn’t be overdependence on star players like Ravindra Jadeja or any other big player. Donovan Ferreira is an exciting all-rounder from South Africa who can do the job with the bat as well as with the ball.