Aakash Chopra opens up on Rajasthan Royals’ potential targets in IPL 2026 auction

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra believes Rajasthan Royals will need to strengthen their batting line-up in the upcoming IPL 2026 mini auction. Ahead of the auction, the inaugural champions decided to release players like Sanju Samson, Nitish Rana.

RR has a remaining purse of INR 16.05 crore and they would look to fill in the missing players. Royals can acquire at most nine players, including one overseas in the auction. Chopra said RR will need a back-up player for Shimron Hetmyer.

“They will need a backup for Shimron Hetmyer. They have Donovan Ferreira, but if they get someone who can bat down the order, or a batter in the middle order. It could be an Indian as well because they have let Nitish Rana also go. Not only Sanju, but Nitish Rana has also gone,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

Chopra highlighted that Shimron Hetmyer, Jofra Archer, Sam Curran and Nandre Burger could be the four overseas players in RR’s playing XI.

“With Nitish going, there is another place vacant in the middle order, filling which they will have to start thinking about who they can bring in. Overseas players, it could be Sam Curran, Jofra Archer, Shimron Hetmyer, and maybe Nandre Burger. They could play with this setup or someone could be brought in and set up in the middle order,” he observed.

The former Delhi cricketer said RR might target Ravi Bishnoi in the auction but they won’t be able to rope in the leg-spinner as they don’t have enough funds.

“I am looking at spinners. You have got a left-arm spinner in Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja), but at least two more will be required. A leg-spinner is required, and if they get an off-spinner, it will be icing on the cake. Which leg-spinners can they go towards? They will go towards Ravi Bishnoi for some time, but they won’t get Ravi Bishnoi because they don’t have that much money,” he said.

Chopra reckons RR might also not be able to get Rahul Chahar in the auction.

“Then they could go towards Rahul Chahar, but they might not get Rahul Chahar either. Both Rahul Chahar and Ravi Bishnoi have a connection with Rajasthan. I see Karn Sharma as another option. They will need at least one of these three for sure. I feel they will acquire Karn Sharma in the end,” Chopra observed.

The IPL 2026 auction is all set to take center stage on December 16, 2025, at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.