Jaipur, November 24, 2024.
Rajasthan Royals (RR), under the guidance of new head coach Rahul Dravid, entered the IPL 2025 auction with a focused approach, having retained a strong core of six players ahead of the season.
The inaugural IPL champions in 2008, RR have built a reputation for nurturing young talent and playing fearless cricket. However, consistency has been a challenge, with the team only reaching the final once since their maiden triumph.With INR 41 crore remaining from their total auction purse of INR 120 crore, RR aimed to strategically fill the remaining slots to build a championship-winning squad.
Sanju Samson (INR 18 crore), captain and cornerstone of RR’s batting lineup, remains vital to their leadership and batting stability. Showing his stellar form in Australia, Yashasvi Jaiswal (INR 18 crore) has become the face of RR’s future, bringing explosive starts at the top.
Middle-order batter Riyan Parag (INR 14 crore) retained his finishing abilities and handy spin last season, with RR continuing to back Parag’s potential. Dhruv Jurel (INR 14 crore) has been a loyal servant for the franchise, earning himself a well-deserved retention ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction.
A match-winning finisher, Shimron Hetmyer, retained for INR 11 crore, remains a key player in turning games in RR’s favour.
Sandeep Sharma, one of the most effective power-play bowlers in the IPL’s history, got RR’s nod for INR 4 crore. He is also famous for his precise, nail-biting yorkers at the death.
With a limited purse of INR 41 crore, RR prioritized securing key overseas players, a reliable all-rounder, and depth in their pace attack. Strategic buys will be critical to complement their strong retained core.
