RR needs to get rid of some high-paying stars before the IPL 2026 auction to stabilize its side.
The IPL 2025 became the second team to get out of the race for the IPL 2025 playoffs on Thursday after Rajasthan Royals lost by 100 runs. RR has taken a lot of suspicious decisions in terms of vengeance, although the fielding coach defended its auction strategy. Players like Jurael and Hetmyer, who have been retained in high amounts, have just failed to live up to expectations.
It is quite clear that RR cannot let Samson, Jaiswal and Parag go. They are, finally, a part of the core team of the side. However, RR can definitely let some other people go to the side that are more than an obligation for the side.
Hetmyer is not just worthy
RR’s plan to maintain Shimron Hetmyer for Rs 11 crore has just returned to them in this season. So far in 11 matches, he has scored only 187 runs, completely failing to remain as a destructive finisher to his reputation. It was not that his season was good in 2024.
He, in fact, recorded more poor figures, then with just 113 runs out of 9 innings. In the last two sessions, their average has been 22.60 and 20.77 respectively. It is a high time that RR relieves its purse by getting rid of this liability.
The price of the jural is not Rs 14 crore
Another high-paying retention is of Dhruv Jurael. The keeper-better was retained for a hoping for Rs 14 crore from the mega auction. While he has proved to be one of the most consistent batsmen of RR in IPL 2025, it is not worth paying just Rs 14 crore.
So far in IPL 2025, Jurael has 249 runs from 11 games. It would be wise to release it before the IPL 2026 auction for RR and instead focus on buying back for a low price. What it does will free RR’s purse and allow them to target other powerhouse players.
Release Deshpande, Mapkha and Rana
Tushar Deshpande was kept by RR for Rs 6.50 crore. He had a good season with CSK in 2024 before releasing the mega auction. However, in IPL 2025, he has managed to take 6 wickets in only 8 games. To make cases worse, he claims the rate of economy on an average 45.00 and more than 11.
After purchasing for Rs 1.5 crore, Quena Mapkha made his step from MI to RR. However, he is still making his debut for RR. The team can only add Rs 1.5 crore to their purse by releasing it before the IPL 2026 auction and can find another bowling option that they could use regularly instead.
Nitish Rana was paid Rs 4.20 crore to play for RR. While he has shown a glimpse of his skills, the former-KKR batsman has scored only 217 runs in 11 matches. It makes sense for RR to keep them in their favor, given that they have bare minimum impact.
RR squad in IPL 2025
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Nitish Rana, Ryan Parag (C), Dhruv Jurael (W), Shimron Hetmier, Vanindu Hasarga, Jofra Archer, Mahesh Thekshana, Sandeep Sharma, Yudhir Singh, Shubaham Dub, Shuham Dub, Shubham Dubham, Dubhm Dub Akash Madhwal, Kunal Singh Rathore, Kunal Singh Rathore, Farooqui, Quena Mafaka, Ashok Sharma
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