Rajasthan Royals (RR) were among the more active franchises at the IPL 2026 auction in Abu Dhabisigning nine players and significantly reshaping their squad after a disappointing ninth-place finish last season. The Royals entered the auction with a clear plan: strengthen the spin department, add balance through proven all-rounders, and back an Indian-heavy core.
The headline signing for RR was Ravi Bishnoifor whom the franchise spent Rs. 7.20 crorenearly half of its available purse. The leg-spinner is expected to slot straight into the playing XI as the team’s lead spin option. Bishnoi’s arrival adds control and wicket-taking ability through the middle overs, an area where RR struggled in IPL 2025.
Ahead of the auction, Rajasthan Royals had already made a bold move by trading former captain Sanju Samson to Chennai Super Kings in exchange for Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. The addition of these two high-impact all-rounders has dramatically improved the squad’s balance, giving RR depth in both batting and bowling.
RR IPL 2026 squad composition
Wicketkeepers:
Dhruv Jurel, Donovan Ferreira, Ravi Singh
Batters:
Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubham Dubey, Lhuan-Dre Pretorius, Shimron Hetmyer, Aman Rao
All-rounders:
Ravindra Jadeja, Riyan Parag, Sam Curran
Fast bowlers:
Yudhvir Singh Charak, Jofra Archer, Tushar Deshpande, Kwena Maphaka, Nandre Burger, Sushant Mishra, Kuldeep Sen, Adam Milne, Brijesh Sharma
Spinners:
Ravi Bishnoi, Vignesh Puthur, Yash Raj Punja
Biggest buys for Rajasthan Royals at IPL 2026 auction
The biggest investment was Ravi Bishnoi (Rs. 7.20 crore)underlining RR’s intent to build their bowling attack around a quality Indian spinner. Adam Milne’s signing also gives the Royals an experienced overseas pace option, particularly useful on quicker surfaces.
RR probable playing XI for IPL 2026
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Shimron Hetmyer, Sam Curran, Jofra Archer, Sandeep Sharma, Ravi Bishnoi, Tushar Deshpande
Impact Player: Donovan Ferreira / Nandre Burger
With an all-Indian top order, Rajasthan Royals have the flexibility to use their overseas slots tactically, either strengthening the pace attack with Burger, Maphaka or Milne, or adding batting firepower through Ferreira or Pretorius.
RR IPL 2026 full squad
Shubham Dubey, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Lhuan-Dre Pretorius, Shimron Hetmyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Jofra Archer, Tushar Deshpande, Kwena Maphaka, Nandre Burger, Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Donovan Ferreira, Ravi Bishnoi, Ravi Singh, Sushant Mishra, Vignesh Puthur, Yash Raj Punja, Aman Rao, Brijesh Sharma, Kuldeep Sen, Adam Milne.
With improved balance, a stronger bowling core and multiple all-round options, Rajasthan Royals will be aiming for a sharp turnaround in IPL 2026 after a turbulent previous season.
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