RR IPL 2026 Retention List: Full Breakdown & Key Trades

RR IPL 2026 Retention List: A Bold Rebuild Begins in Jaipur

The Rajasthan Royals have officially unveiled their plans ahead of the IPL 2026 mega auction, and it’s clear they’re not just tweaking their squad—they’re rebuilding it from the ground up. The headline-grabbing move? Trading franchise icon Sanju Samson to Chennai Super Kings. This seismic shift, along with other strategic trades, has reshaped their roster and left them with a war chest of ₹16.05 crore and nine open slots to fill . Here’s your complete, deeply researched breakdown of the RR IPL 2026 retention list and what it means for their campaign.

Table of Contents

• Key Trades That Defined the Retention List
• RR IPL 2026 Retained Players: The New Core
• Released and Traded Players: End of an Era
• Salary Cap and Auction Strategy
• Fantasy Cricket Implications
• What This Means for RR’s Future
• Conclusion: A Calculated Gamble
• Sources

Key Trades That Defined the Retention List

Unlike simple releases, RR leveraged the trade window to maximize value:

• Sanju Samson → Chennai Super Kings in exchange for Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran . This is the biggest trade of the off-season, ending Samson’s 12-year association with the franchise.
• Nitish Rana → Delhi Capitals for young all-rounder Donovan Ferreira . This move offloads a high-salary player (Rana was at ₹7.2 crore) while adding a promising domestic talent.

These trades weren’t just about personnel—they were financial masterstrokes that freed up significant purse space while bringing in two proven international match-winners.

RR IPL 2026 Retained Players: The New Core

While the full official retention list hasn’t been published in granular detail, based on the trades and existing contracts, the following players are confirmed to be part of RR’s core for 2026:

• Yashasvi Jaiswal – The young opener is now the batting linchpin.
• Riyan Parag – A key middle-order batter and part-time spinner.
• Dhruv Jurel – The emerging wicketkeeper-batter who impressed in 2024-25.
• Ravindra Jadeja – Acquired via trade; brings elite all-round skills and experience.
• Sam Curran – The 2022 IPL MVP adds explosive pace and lower-order batting.
• Avesh Khan – A high-impact Indian pacer retained from previous seasons.
• Donovan Ferreira – The new acquisition from Delhi, a rising star in domestic cricket.

This core blends youth (Jaiswal, Parag, Jurel) with big-game experience (Jadeja, Curran), signaling a shift from the Samson-led era to a more balanced, dynamic unit.

Released and Traded Players: End of an Era

The departures mark a clear transition:

• Sanju Samson (traded) – The face of the franchise since 2013, captain, and all-time leading run-scorer.
• Nitish Rana (traded) – A solid middle-order option whose role diminished in 2025.
• Several support players and backups were also released to streamline the squad ahead of the mega auction.

Samson’s exit, in particular, was emotional. His quote—“We’re only here for a short period of time”—resonated deeply with fans, acknowledging the business side of modern cricket [[INTERNAL_LINK:sanju-samson-joins-csk]].

Salary Cap and Auction Strategy

With the trades, RR now sits on a healthy ₹16.05 crore in available purse and has nine open slots . This gives them immense flexibility in the mega auction. Their likely targets include:

• A premier overseas fast bowler (e.g., Mark Wood, Jofra Archer if fit)
• An experienced international spinner to complement Jadeja
• 2–3 impact Indian batters to strengthen the top and middle order
• A specialist finisher for the death overs

Their strategy appears to be building a versatile, high-energy squad capable of adapting to any pitch or situation—a stark contrast to the more batting-heavy units of recent years.

Fantasy Cricket Implications

Fantasy managers should note these key shifts:

• Yashasvi Jaiswal is now RR’s undisputed No. 1 pick—he’ll open and face maximum balls.
• Ravindra Jadeja becomes a top-tier all-rounder pick in a team that will likely bat him higher.
• Sam Curran’s value skyrockets as RR’s primary death bowler and finisher.
• Avoid players like Samson and Rana for RR-specific fantasy leagues—they’re gone.

This rebuild makes RR one of the most intriguing teams to watch in the auction for fantasy draft strategies [[EXTERNAL_LINK:https://www.iplt20.com/stats]].

What This Means for RR’s Future

Rajasthan Royals are betting on a new identity. By trading their emotional leader, they’ve prioritized tactical balance and long-term sustainability over nostalgia. Jadeja brings leadership, Curran brings X-factor, and their young Indian core has time to mature. If the auction goes well, RR could be serious contenders in 2026—not as underdogs, but as a well-oiled, multi-dimensional unit.

Conclusion: A Calculated Gamble

The RR IPL 2026 retention list isn’t just a roster—it’s a declaration of intent. By parting ways with Sanju Samson and reshaping their squad around Jadeja, Curran, and homegrown talent, Rajasthan Royals have embraced a bold new vision. While fans may mourn the past, the future in Jaipur looks faster, sharper, and more competitive than ever. All eyes will be on their auction moves to complete this thrilling new puzzle.

Sources

• Times of India: RR IPL 2026 retention list: Rajasthan Royals full list of retained and released players ahead of mega auction
• IPL Official Website: IPL Team News and Player Stats
• ESPNcricinfo: IPL Trade Tracker and Auction Analysis