Rajasthan Royals (RR) will enter the IPL 2026 mini-auction looking to fix a few clear problems in their team. In the last few seasons, RR have shown good potential but have been uneven, especially in the middle order, spin department, and death bowling. The mini-auction is a good chance for them to improve these areas by choosing smart, role-based players instead of going after only big names.
Here are five players RR can target in the IPL 2026 auction, Faf du Plessis, Ravi Bishnoi, Rachin Ravindra, Matheesha Pathirana, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and why each of them fits perfectly into the franchise’s plans.
5. Rahmanullah Gurbaz – Explosive Keeper-Batter
Rahmanullah Gurbaz is known for his fearless power-hitting at the top of the order. He starts attacking from the first ball, often giving his team fast starts. He is also a wicketkeeper, which adds to his value in the squad.
Why RR should target him
Gurbaz’s aggressive style suits RR’s attacking approach. He gives wicketkeeping backup, offering squad flexibility. His experience in global T20 leagues helps him adapt quickly. Gurbaz brings youth, energy, and explosive hitting, three things RR can definitely use in their top order.
4. Matheesha Pathirana – Specialist Death Bowler
Matheesha Pathirana is one of the most promising young fast bowlers in world cricket. His sling-style action, accurate yorkers, and clever slower balls make him very hard to face in the last overs. He has already proved that he can stay calm under pressure and bowl well at the death against top batters.
Why RR should target him
RR’s biggest weakness in the 2025 season was their poor death bowling. Pathirana is one of the best young death-overs specialists in T20 cricket. His low, slingy release is difficult for batters to pick. He regularly bowls high-pressure overs and takes key wickets.
With Pathirana, RR can finally fix their death-overs problem and form a strong partnership with their existing fast bowlers.
3. Rachin Ravindra – A Versatile Left-Handed All-Rounder
Rachin Ravindra has become one of the most promising modern all-rounders. He is a stylish left-handed batter who can open or play in the middle order, and he also bowls useful left-arm spin.
Why RR should target him
Rachin’s skill to contribute with both bat and ball adds important value to his overall game. He fits well into RR’s brand of cricket, smart, fast, and adaptable. Offers batting depth, something RR have struggled with in tight matches.
Rachin’s ability to play multiple roles makes him a flexible and valuable addition to the team.
2. Ravi Bishnoi – Wicket-Taking Indian Leg-Spinner
Ravi Bishnoi has already proven himself as one of India’s most exciting young leg-spinners. His ability to deliver accurate googlies and break partnerships in the middle overs makes him a strong buy for any IPL team.
Why RR should target him
RR need a reliable Indian spinner who can take wickets consistently. Bishnoi is young and can serve the franchise for years. Since he is Indian, he does not take up an overseas slot. RR’s home ground, Jaipur, often helps spinners, making him even more useful.
Bishnoi fits perfectly into RR’s desire to build a strong, long-term bowling unit.
1. Faf du Plessis – Experience, Stability, and Leadership
Faf du Plessis has been one of the most reliable T20 batters in the world. Even at this stage of his career, he is still fit, trustworthy, and able to score big runs at the top of the innings. His experience in tough, high-pressure matches is something RR would really benefit from in their dressing room.
Why RR should target him
RR have often struggled to finish close games. Faf’s calmness and match awareness can reduce that pressure. If RR want an experienced voice to guide the younger players, Faf is a perfect choice. He can open the innings or bat in the middle order, giving flexibility.
Even though he is nearing the end of his career, his fitness and discipline make him a valuable short-term addition for any franchise looking for stability.
How These Five Players Fit RR’s Strategy
1. Balanced Squad Building
These picks balance Indian and overseas options. With Bishnoi as an Indian spinner, RR can use overseas slots flexibly on players like Faf, Rachin, Pathirana, or Gurbaz.
2. Fixing Long-Term Weaknesses
Death bowling → Pathirana
Middle-overs spin control → Bishnoi
Left-hand batting depth + all-round ability → Rachin
Explosive starts → Gurbaz
Stability + experience → Faf
3. Mix of Youth and Experience
RR would get three young long-term players (Bishnoi, Ravindra, Pathirana, Gurbaz) and one short-term experienced leader (Faf).
Conclusion
The IPL 2026 mini-auction is a big opportunity for Rajasthan Royals to refine their squad and become a more complete, balanced team. Targeting Faf du Plessis, Ravi Bishnoi, Rachin Ravindra, Matheesha Pathirana, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz gives RR exactly what they need, leadership, wicket-taking spin, explosive batting, all-round depth, and world-class death bowling.
If RR successfully secure even two or three of these players, they could enter IPL 2026 with one of their strongest squads in years.
Written by Kinjal Walantra