Rajasthan Royals face IPL 2026 with a new-look squad after a difficult pre-season. Sanju Samson, their long-time captain, now plays for Chennai Super Kings. His departure ends a ten-year partnership with the Royals.
The franchise made smart trades to rebuild. They brought in Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran from Chennai Super Kings. Both players offer leadership, match-winning skills, and squad balance. Jadeja returns to the Royals, where he played during their 2008 title run.
This article explores the Rajasthan Royals ahead of IPL 2026. You will find details about ownership, squad makeup, key players, and team records.
Rajasthan Royals Owners
Manoj Badale owns the largest share of the franchise through Emerging Media IPL Ltd. He controls about 65% of the team. Badale, a British-Indian businessman, co-founded Blenheim Chalcot. He has led the franchise since its start in 2008.
RedBird Capital Partners holds about 15% of the team. They add global sports investment experience. Media executive Lachlan Murdoch owns a smaller share. This ownership group supports the Royals both on the field and in business growth.
Badale recently spoke about rumors of a sale of the franchise. He dismissed them completely. He said these reports have surfaced for 17 years without any truth behind them.
Check out RCB IPL Team 2026 squad, players, and updates for the new season.
Rajasthan Royals Squad – IPL 2026
The Royals overhauled their squad after a poor IPL 2025 season. They finished ninth and won only four games. The team traded Sanju Samson to Chennai Super Kings and received Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran in return.
At the mini-auction, they picked up leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi for Rs 7.20 crore. New Zealand pacer Adam Milne filled their last overseas spot.
| Category | Players |
|---|---|
| Batters | Aman Rao, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Shubham Dubey, Shimron Hetmyer |
| Wicketkeepers | Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Ravi Singh, Dhruv Jurel |
| All-rounders | Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Riyan Parag, Sam Curran |
| Bowlers | Ravi Bishnoi, Adam Milne, Kuldeep Sen, Sushant Mishra, Yash Raj Punja, Vignesh Puthur, Brijesh Sharma, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Jofra Archer, Kwena Maphaka, Nandre Burger, Tushar Deshpande, Sandeep Sharma |
Key Players for RR Ahead of IPL 2026
These players will shape the Royals’ fortunes in IPL 2026. They bring experience, talent, and the ability to change games at crucial times.
| Player | Reason |
|---|---|
| Sam Curran | A proven all-rounder who delivers with bat and ball when it matters most. |
| Ravindra Jadeja | A world-class all-rounder who brings stability, leadership, and strong finishing skills. |
| Ravi Bishnoi | A young leg-spinner who takes wickets and controls the middle overs. |
| Vaibhav Suryavanshi | A talented young batter who can anchor an innings and speed up when needed. |
| Dhruv Jurel | A quick wicketkeeper-batter with good movement behind the stumps and power-hitting ability. |
Rajasthan Royals: Records from IPL 2008 to 2025
The Royals began their IPL story in 2008 and won the first-ever season. Since then, they have seen good and bad times. Their records show individual brilliance and team achievements.
The records below highlight important milestones, standout players, and memorable moments in RR’s IPL history.
1. IPL Standings Every Year
| IPL Edition | Standings | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 9th | League stage |
| 2024 | 3rd | Playoffs |
| 2023 | 5th | League stage |
| 2022 | 2nd | Runners-up |
| 2021 | 7th | League stage |
| 2020 | 8th | League stage |
| 2019 | 7th | League stage |
| 2018 | 4th | Playoffs |
| 2015 | 4th | Playoffs |
| 2014 | 5th | League stage |
| 2013 | 3rd | Playoffs |
| 2012 | 7th | League stage |
| 2011 | 6th | League stage |
| 2010 | 7th | League stage |
| 2009 | 6th | League stage |
| 2008 | 1st | Winner |
2. Most Runs For RR
| Player | Span | Matches | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanju Samson | 2013-2025 | 155 | 4219 |
| Ajinkya Rahane | 2011-2019 | 106 | 3098 |
| Jos Buttler | 2018-2024 | 83 | 3055 |
| Shane Watson | 2008-2015 | 84 | 2474 |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | 2020-2025 | 67 | 2166 |
3. Most Wickets For RR
| Player | Span | Matches | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shane Watson | 2008-2015 | 84 | 67 |
| Yuzvendra Chahal | 2022-2024 | 46 | 66 |
| Siddharth Trivedi | 2008-2013 | 76 | 65 |
| Shane Warne | 2008-2011 | 56 | 58 |
| Jofra Archer | 2018-2025 | 47 | 57 |
4. Highest Individual Score For RR
| Player | Score | Opposition | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jos Buttler | 124 | SRH | 02 May 2021 | Delhi |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | 124 | MI | 30 April 2023 | Mumbai |
| Sanju Samson | 119 | PBKS | 12 April 2021 | Mumbai |
| Jos Buttler | 116 | DC | 22 April 2022 | Mumbai |
| Ben Stokes | 107* | MI | 25 October 2020 | Abu Dhabi |
5. Best Bowling Figures For RR
| Player | BBI | Opposition | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sohail Tanvir | 6/14 | CSK | 04 May 2008 | Jaipur |
| James Faulkner | 5/16 | SRH | 17 May 2013 | Hyderabad |
| Sandeep Sharma | 5/18 | MI | 22 April 2024 | Jaipur |
| James Faulkner | 5/20 | SRH | 27 April 2013 | Jaipur |
| Yuzi Chahal | 5/40 | KKR | 18 April 2022 | Mumbai |
6. Highest Totals
| Total | Opposition | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 242/6 | SRH | 23 March 2025 | Hyderabad |
| 226/6 | KXIP | 27 September 2020 | Sharjah |
| 224/8 | KKR | 16 April 2024 | Kolkata |
| 223/5 | CSK | 03 April 2010 | Chennai |
| 222/2 | DC | 22 April 2022 | Mumbai |
7. Lowest Totals
| Total | Opposition | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 58 | RCB | 18 April 2009 | Cape Town |
| 59 | RCB | 14 May 2023 | Jaipur |
| 81 | KKR | 17 April 2011 | Kolkata |
| 85 | KKR | 07 October 2021 | Sharjah |
| 90/9 | MI | 05 October 2021 | Sharjah |
Rajasthan Royals’ IPL Journey Through The Seasons
Rajasthan Royals joined the IPL in 2008 as underdogs. Shane Warne led them to a stunning victory in the first-ever season. That campaign proved smart planning and team unity can beat star-studded opponents.
Over the years, the Royals faced ups and downs. They struggled in some seasons but always delivered exciting cricket. The team also developed young talent who became stars for India.
Recently, the Rajasthan Royals focused on rebuilding and strengthening their squad. Their journey shows resilience, careful planning, and a commitment to competitive, entertaining cricket in the IPL.
