Rajasthan Royals (RR), IPL’s inaugural champions, have officially announced their list of retained and released players for the upcoming IPL 2025 season. Building on recent consistent performances, the Royals have retained six core players, including captain Sanju Samson and emerging star Yashasvi Jaiswal, both valued at Rs 18 crore. RR’s retained list also features power-hitter Shimron Hetmyer, all-rounder Riyan Parag, pace bowler Sandeep Sharma, and young talent Dhruv Jurel.
Despite strong seasons and a third-place finish in 2024, the Royals have made some bold choices by releasing top international players such as Jos Buttler, Trent Boult, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Ravichandran Ashwin. This decision comes as RR strategizes to strengthen their squad, leaving no Right to Match (RTM) cards available for reacquiring these key players at auction.
With a remaining purse of Rs 41 crore, the Royals are positioned to make substantial acquisitions at the IPL 2025 mega auction. Their primary focus will be building a balanced and competitive squad that can contend for their elusive second IPL title, which they last won in 2008.
As Samson continues his leadership, RR’s strategy centers around retaining youthful talent with a mix of experience, aiming to enhance their lineup in hopes of capturing the IPL trophy in the upcoming season.
Players Retained by Rajasthan Royals for IPL 2025:
1. Sanju Samson (Rs 18 crore)
2. Yashasvi Jaiswal (Rs 18 crore)
3. Riyan Parag (Rs 14 crore)
4. Dhruv Jurel (Rs 14 crore)
5. Shimron Hetmyer (Rs 11 crore)
6. Sandeep Sharma (Rs 4 crore)
