IPL 2026 auction: After smart exchanges, Rajasthan Royals are a few minor fixes away from a balanced team | Cricket News

NEW DELHI: Rajasthan Royals come to the IPL Auction 2026 with more context than most teams at the table. Few franchises have experienced such abrupt management changes in a single year. The Royals’ journey in this mini-auction has been anything but linear, going from a third-place finish in 2024 to a disastrous season this year, with Rahul Dravid replacing Kumar Sangakkara as head coach, then exiting, then Sangakkara returning once again.And yet, behind the noise, there is a sense that Rajasthan may have finally solved its most fundamental cricketing problem.

The trade window told this story clearly. Trading Sanju Samson – their captain, most capped player, top scorer and longtime face of the franchise – was a seismic decision. But in terms of team building, it was also deeply calculated. Rajasthan didn’t just trade Samson to Chennai Super Kings. They converted an INR 18 crore player into two true all-rounders. Ravindra Jadeja came in at INR 14 crore, four less than his previous valuation, while Sam Curran came in at a remarkable INR 2.4 crore. Two players, both capable of influencing games in multiple phases, acquired for less than the price of Samson alone.This is important because in the last cycle, despite good results, Rajasthan was structurally incomplete. They played most seasons with six specialist hitters and five specialist bowlers. There was no glue between the two. This imbalance has manifested itself several times in pressure situations. The management often had to push R Ashwin up, not as a tactical weapon, but as a necessity to extend the batting depth. Even their attempt to solve this problem during the mega auction through Wanindu Hasaranga only partially worked. Hasaranga delivered wickets, but his inability to contribute with the bat left the main problem unresolved.The Samson-Jadeja-Curran deal is a complete game-changer. Rajasthan now have a proper batting up to eight without compromising the quality of bowling. This is the biggest fix they’ve made in years.

Yashasvi Jaiswal of Rajasthan Royal (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

Their top order remains the strongest and most exciting part of the team. Yashasvi Jaiswal continues to be the cornerstone, combining volume and aggression. Alongside him, Vaibhav Suryavanshi has been the defining story of IPL 2025. Thrust into the XI due to Samson’s injury, the 14-year-old not only survived, he dominated. His 252 runs in seven matches, highlighted by a breathtaking 35-ball hundred against Gujarat Titans, took Rajasthan to the best powerplay strike rate in the league. Neither team matched their intent in the first six overs.However, this is also where the risk comes in. Suryavanshi is still a teenager. The pressure of the second season, opposition planning and the grind of a full IPL campaign can be unforgiving. With Nitish Rana traded and Lhuan-dre Pretorius as the only specialist replacement, Rajasthan are one injury or loss of form away from being stretched at the top. Expect them to quietly seek out a top domestic option who can step in without upsetting the balance. Players like Prithvi Shaw, Mayank Agarwal, Rahul Tripathi, Deepak Hooda or even Venkatesh Iyer offer various combinations of experience, versatility and cover in the short term without forcing a structural overhaul.

The middle order, long a source of frustration, seems more settled on paper. Riyan Parag has grown into his role as a spin hitter and stabilizer. Dhruv Jurel brings calm and awareness to the game and, with Samson gone, he is likely to bat slightly higher, a role that suits his temperament and shot selection. The finish, however, remains mixed. Shimron Hetmyer has had a disappointing season, both in terms of output and impact, especially in the last five overs where Rajasthan ranked among the worst teams in terms of runs, strike rate and boundary percentage. The addition of Donovan Ferreira gives them a second finishing option, but the lack of proven Indian hitters means the depth is still shaky in high-pressure chases. Abhinav Manohar, available for auction, could be a smart target here. His ability to hit between four and seven and clear the ropes against pace makes him a practical and economical solution to a long-standing problem.Bowling is where the auction will truly define the Rajasthan season.The release of Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana has left a glaring hole in the spin-off department. Currently, Jadeja and Riyan Parag are the only spin options. Last season’s experiment of facing two foreign players backfired, both tactically and structurally. The Royals are determined not to repeat that mistake. Getting an Indian front-row spinner is now non-negotiable.Ravi Bishnoi is at the top of their wish list. Despite two ordinary seasons at Lucknow Super Giants, his age, skills and experience make him a long-term asset. Rahul Chahar is another profile that fits the needs of Rajasthan. Either would allow the Royals to control the middlemen, reduce pressure on the seamers and free up their overseas combinations. The challenge, of course, is budget. With just INR 16.05 crore, the fourth lowest purse at auction, Rajasthan will need discipline and timing to win this battle.

Sandeep Sharma of Rajasthan Royals (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

The quick attack has its own concerns. Jofra Archer remains the winner of the match, but his physical condition offers no guarantee. Sandeep Sharma brings control, but not pace. Tushar Deshpande and Yudhvir Singh provide depth, but lack proven death skills. Rajasthan had the worst economy in terms of powerplay and death overs last season, a stat that highlights their need for a specialist who can execute yorkers and variations under pressure. Someone like Mustafizur Rahman, with past experience within the franchise, could be a pragmatic solution. Matheesha Pathirana is another tempting option, but given Rajasthan’s limited budget and likely price tag, getting it seems very unlikely.Rajasthan also has two exciting overseas fast bowling prospects in Nandre Burger and Kwena Maphaka. Both offer pace and wicket-taking potential, but playing in either would mean compromising on an overseas slot elsewhere, a compromise the Royals will need to carefully consider given their already tight overseas balance.As things stand, Rajasthan Royals are closer to a balanced XI than they have been in a long time.Probable XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Jofra Archer, Sandeep Sharma, Indian spinnerImpact player: Tushar DeshpandeThe Royals may not dominate the auction headlines, but if they get a quality Indian spinner and a smart bowling addition, they could quietly walk away as one of the most improved teams. For a franchise that has been searching for balance for nearly a decade, this auction isn’t about ambition. It’s finally about completing the puzzle.