Rajasthan Royals (RR) could make some major changes in their squad before the IPL 2026 mini-auction, which is expected to take place between December 13-15, 2025. All the franchises must share their retention lists by November 15, 2025. RR could release a few underperforming or high-cost players to create room for new signings.
Why Rajasthan Royals Might Make Changes
The Royals have shown promise in recent seasons but have struggled with inconsistency. Some players have failed to deliver regularly, while others have been hampered by form or fitness issues. Ahead of an important mini-auction, the franchise may be looking to free up salary space and strengthen weak areas, particularly in the middle order, lower-order and spin department.
Possible Players RR Could Release
1. Sanju Samson (Captain & Wicketkeeper-Batter)
Sanju Samson has been the main face of Rajasthan Royals for many years, but his future with the team now looks uncertain. Even though he has performed well, reports indicate that there may be some ongoing differences with the management.
The team could also be looking for a new leader to bring a fresh approach. If Samson is released, it would be a big moment for RR, as they might search for a new captain or a senior batter to guide the team.
2. Shimron Hetmyer (West Indies – Middle Order)
Known for his explosive finishing, Shimron Hetmyer had a very disappointing IPL 2025 season. He was unable to finish matches for the Royals which became a major concern for them. Given his high salary and overseas slot, RR might decide to let him go and look for a younger or more
reliable finisher. Since many teams will be looking for strong finishers in the auction, releasing Hetmyer could also give RR more flexibility in their budget and team balance.
3. Maheesh Theekshana (Sri Lanka – Spinner)
Maheesh Theekshana is a proven spinner in T20 cricket, but he hasn’t made a big impact so far in the IPL. With RR already having strong Indian spinners, keeping multiple overseas spinners may not make much sense. If they let Theekshana go it will help the team focus on Indian spin options or bring in an all-rounder who can also contribute with the bat.
4. Shubham Dubey (India – Middle Order Batter)
Shubham Dubey came in with a lot of promise but he couldn’t perform consistently and couldn’t give his best in the 2025 season. As RR is looking to rebuild their Indian batting unit, Dubey might be one of the players who could get released. The franchise may use his spot to bring in fresh domestic talent or a more dependable Indian middle-order batter.
5. Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka – All-rounder)
Wanindu Hasaranga is another player whose name has come up in reports of possible releases. Despite being a talented all-rounder, he has faced injury issues and has struggled to make a big impact in the IPL. The Royals might let him go and bring in an overseas all-rounder who is more flexible.
Other Players Under Review
A few other names, like Fazalhaq Farooqi, Dhruv Jurel and Kwena Maphaka could also face uncertainty depending on the team’s strategy. Jurel’s place might depend on whether RR continue with Samson as captain-wicketkeeper.
What RR Might Target at the Auction
If RR release big names like Samson or Hetmyer, they will likely:
- Go after a reliable top-order Indian batter or new captaincy option.
- Look for a finisher who can handle pressure in the death overs.
- Strengthen spin depth or invest in an all-rounder who can balance the middle overs.
The Royals could also eye young Indian domestic talents who impressed in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Ranji Trophy and other domestic leagues.
Key Dates for Fans
- Retention deadline: November 15, 2025
- Mini-auction window: December 13-15, 2025 (expected)
- Official released list: Likely by mid-November, once BCCI confirms final rules
The Rajasthan Royals have a history of bold decisions, from giving youngsters big opportunities to making major captaincy changes. With the 2026 season expected to be more competitive than ever, the franchise may take some tough calls.
While names like Samson, Hetmyer, Theekshana, Hasaranga, and Dubey are being discussed, the final decisions will depend on team strategy and trade activity before the retention deadline. Until the official list is out, fans can only speculate, but one thing is certain: Rajasthan Royals’ 2026 squad could look very different.
Written by Kinjal Walantra
