Rajasthan Royals will enter IPL 2026 facing one of the most significant transitions in their recent history. Just days before the start of the season came news that the Jaipur-based franchise had been purchased for a whopping USD 1.63 billion – approximately INR 16,290 crore – by an existing shareholder named Kal Somani, who heads a consortium that includes the owners of Walmart.
For the first time since 2013, Rajasthan will begin a season without Sanju Samson as a central figure in their setup. Plus, they will be without one of the two allrounders that RR got in return for Samson – England’s Sam Curran – owing to an injury.
If you’re a Rajasthan Royals fan, you have reason to worry about your franchise.
While the deal with CSK – take Samson, get Curran and Ravindra Jadeja – gives the squad additional balance and experience, it also leaves a sizeable gap in both leadership and batting firepower. And now, minus Curran, this RR squad is further depleted.
The Royals do, however, possess a squad with several intriguing options. At the top of the order, Yashasvi Jaiswal is expected to remain a key figure. He could be joined by young Vaibhav Suryavanshi, a pairing that promises attacking cricket in the powerplay.
The No. 3 position remains flexible. Riyan Parag is a strong contender for the role, though the management could also experiment depending on match-ups. Another intriguing possibility is promoting Shimron Hetmyer up the order. The West Indian has demonstrated his ability to dominate bowling attacks when given more overs, particularly during the recent T20 World Cup.
Down the order, Rajasthan have limited middle-order options in Dhruv Jurel, Donovan Ferreira, Jadeja and Curran’s replacement, the Sri Lankan allounder Dasun Shanaka. That depth allows a degree of flexibility, though it could also lead to strategic questions about overseas combinations. Packing three of the four overseas slots into the top seven may strengthen the batting but could limit options elsewhere.
The bowling attack, meanwhile, appears well stocked on paper. Jofra Archer remains the spearhead of the pace unit, supported by experienced campaigner Sandeep Sharma and leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi. Yet the effectiveness of the attack may ultimately hinge on the supporting cast. Bowlers such as Yudhvir Singh, Tushar Deshpande and Kuldeep Sen will likely need to step up if the Royals are to maintain consistency throughout the season.
On seniority within the franchise, Parag was the natural candidate to be named captain. Yet Jaiswal, now an all-format international for India and arguably the biggest current name in the Royals squad, is believed to harbour ambitions of leading the side.
Rajasthan have assembled a talented squad, but with Samson gone, a new leadership era is about to begin — and how that transition unfolds may well define their season.
