The Rajasthan Royals (RR) have revealed their retained players for the upcoming IPL 2025 auction, creating a promising mix of experience and young talent. Leading the squad once again is captain Sanju Samson, entering his 11th season with the franchise. Known for his batting prowess and leadership, Samson remains a pivotal part of the Royals’ strategy and team cohesion.
Supporting Samson are key players who bring both skill and versatility to the team:
Yashasvi Jaiswal – The dynamic top-order batter, known for his aggressive style and consistency.
Riyan Parag – A promising all-rounder who adds depth in both batting and bowling.
Dhruv Jurel – Wicketkeeper-batter whose agility and batting make him an asset.
Shimron Hetmyer – Known for his explosive hitting, Hetmyer adds power to the middle order.
Sandeep Sharma – An experienced medium-pacer, valued for his control and effectiveness in critical overs.
The Royals’ retention list also surprised fans with the exclusion of two major players: star spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin. Their absence marks a shift in the Royals’ bowling strategy and raises anticipation for their replacements.
With Rahul Dravid as the newly-appointed head coach, Rajasthan Royals have given captain Sanju Samson significant involvement in finalizing the roster. Dravid noted that the retention process was challenging for Samson, who has built close relationships with many of the players over several seasons. Reflecting on the process, Dravid stated, “Sanju had a big role to play in these retentions. He faced a lot of difficulty…we are very sad for the players we couldn’t retain, and Sanju has worked with these players for 5-6 years now.”
As the Royals gear up for IPL 2025, their retained squad reflects a focus on consistency and development under Samson’s leadership.