The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 mini-auction was held in Abu Dhabi on December 16, with 369 players available for franchises. Rajasthan Royals (RR), who finished ninth in IPL 2025, used the auction to significantly revamp their squad, placing strong emphasis on strengthening their spin and pace departments.
RR completed their squad by signing nine players at the auction, highlighted by the high-profile acquisition of leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi and left-arm wrist-spinner Vignesh Puthur.
Rajasthan Royals leadership and core for IPL 2026
Rajasthan Royals head into IPL 2026 with a new-look core featuring experienced all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran, both acquired via trades from Chennai Super Kings. The franchise has built its squad around a blend of proven internationals, emerging Indian talent, and specialist bowlers.
What Rajasthan Royals did at the IPL 2026 auction
Rajasthan Royals entered the auction with clear priorities — add quality spin options and deepen their bowling reserves. The signing of Ravi Bishnoi stood out as RR’s biggest move, giving them a proven Indian leg-spinner capable of operating in the middle overs.
RR also invested in Vignesh Puthur, a rare left-arm wrist-spinner, adding variety to their spin attack. On the pace front, the franchise brought back familiar faces like Adam Milne and Kuldeep Sen, while also backing domestic fast-bowling talent such as Sushant Mishra and Yash Raj Punja.
Players bought by Rajasthan Royals at the IPL 2026 auction
Ravi Bishnoi, Sushant Mishra, Yash Raj Punja, Vignesh Puthur, Ravi Singh, Aman Rao, Brijesh Sharma, Adam Milne, Kuldeep Sen.
RR auction summary
- Purse remaining: Rs. 2.65 crore
- Player slots remaining: 0
- Overseas slots remaining: 0
Rajasthan Royals retained players before the auction
Ravindra Jadeja (from Chennai Super Kings), Sam Curran (from Chennai Super Kings), Donovan Ferreira (from Delhi Capitals), Sandeep Sharma, Shubham Dubey, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Lhuan-Dre Pretorius, Shimron Hetmyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Jofra Archer, Tushar Deshpande, Kwena Maphaka, Nandre Burger.
Rajasthan Royals full squad for IPL 2026
Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Donovan Ferreira, Sandeep Sharma, Shubham Dubey, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Lhuan-Dre Pretorius, Shimron Hetmyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Jofra Archer, Tushar Deshpande, Kwena Maphaka, Nandre Burger, Ravi Bishnoi, Sushant Mishra, Yash Raj Punja, Vignesh Puthur, Ravi Singh, Aman Rao, Brijesh Sharma, Adam Milne, Kuldeep Sen.
Squad outlook
Rajasthan Royals appear to have addressed key weaknesses from last season by building a bowling-heavy squad supported by experienced all-rounders. With Jadeja and Curran offering balance, Bishnoi leading the spin attack, and a strong mix of Indian and overseas pacers, RR will look to re-establish themselves as serious playoff contenders in IPL 2026.
