Rajasthan Royals: 3 overseas players RR can retain ahead of IPL 2026 auction

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The Rajasthan Royals (RR) experienced an up-and-down campaign in the IPL 2025 season, showing flashes of brilliance but struggling to maintain momentum when it mattered most. While their Indian core performed admirably under the leadership of Sanju Samson, the overseas players contributed in phases but lacked consistency as a unit. Despite missing out on the final, RR displayed enough promise to suggest that a few key overseas names could form the backbone of their squad moving forward.

With the 2026 auction set to shake up team compositions, the Royals will be keen to retain a balanced group of international stars who bring experience, skill, and versatility to the table. Based on performance and impact, here are three overseas players RR can retain ahead of IPL 2026.

Royals began their IPL 2025 campaign with tremendous intent, winning four of their first six games. Their top order, led by Yashasvi Jaiswal and Samson, gave them explosive starts, while their bowling attack, featuring Jofra Archer and Maheesh Theekshana, provided early breakthroughs. However, as the season progressed, RR struggled with middle-order stability and failed to close out tight matches — a recurring theme in their history.

Injuries and rotation among overseas players disrupted team balance, causing RR to lose crucial games in the latter half of the league. Despite these hurdles, they managed to qualify for the playoffs but fell short of the title once again. The 2025 season reinforced the need for stability and experience among overseas players — something RR will prioritize in their retention strategy ahead of IPL 2026.

1. Jofra Archer – The Royals’ pace spearhead

Archer remains one of Rajasthan Royals’ most valuable overseas assets. The English speedster may not have delivered a standout season statistically, but his presence and impact were undeniable. Archer’s pace, accuracy, and ability to strike in both powerplay and death overs made him the go-to bowler for Sanju Samson throughout the campaign.

Despite returning from a long injury layoff, Archer showed glimpses of his old rhythm, clocking express speeds and troubling top-order batters with sharp bounce and movement. His match-winning spell of 3/25 against KKR showcased his game-changing ability. Given his experience and match-winning potential, Archer is an automatic choice for retention ahead of the IPL 2026 auction.

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2. Shimron Hetmyer – The Caribbean finisher

Hetmyer continued to play the finisher’s role for Rajasthan Royals, often providing late fireworks in tight chases. Although his overall numbers in IPL 2025 were modest — 239 runs in 14 matches — his ability to shift momentum in the death overs remains a rare asset. His match-winning cameo against Mumbai Indians, where he smashed 32* off 13 balls, reminded fans of his explosive potential.

Hetmyer’s power-hitting against pace and spin makes him one of the few dependable finishers in T20 cricket. Moreover, his experience and temperament in crunch moments add balance to RR’s lower middle order. With limited Indian options for the finisher’s role, retaining Hetmyer could help RR maintain continuity and stability in their batting lineup for the 2026 season.

3. Maheesh Theekshana – The spin trump card

Sri Lankan off-spinner Theekshana quietly became a crucial component of RR’s bowling plans. Tasked with operating in the middle overs, he regularly stifled opposition batters with his subtle variations and control. Though his figures — 11 wickets in 11 games — may not appear extraordinary, his economy rate and ability to create pressure often led to wickets from the other end.

Theekshana’s effectiveness on spin-friendly surfaces like Jaipur made him a valuable tactical weapon. His consistency, composure, and ability to bowl in powerplay overs give RR a versatile spin option. Given his age and growing T20 reputation, retaining Theekshana would be a smart long-term investment for the franchise.

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