IPL 2025: Rajasthan Royals full squad, preview, SWOT analysis, likely XI

The inaugural IPL champions Rajasthan Royals (RR) had some great moments in the last three IPL seasons. After failing to advance to the playoffs in three straight seasons, the Royals finished as the runners-up in the IPL 2022, where they lost against the season debutant Gujarat Titans. In two out of the last three IPL seasons, the Royals qualified for the playoffs.  

Rajasthan Royals retained six players, five capped and one uncapped, and deducted INR 79 crore from the purse. It meant that they could use the remaining INR 41 crore in the mega auction. 

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Rajasthan Royals: Key additions from the mega auction

Rajasthan Royals brought back the English fast bowler Jofra Archer, which cost them INR 12.50 crore. They have signed players like Tushar Deshpande, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Nitish Rana, Fazalhaq Farooqi, etc. 

RR Full Squad

Batters: Yashasvi Jaiswal (retained), Shimron Hetmyer (retained/Guyanese), Nitish Rana, Shubham Dubey, Vaibhav Suryavanshi

Wicketkeepers: Sanju Samson (retained), Dhruv Jurel (retained), Kunal Singh Rathore

All-rounders: Riyan Parag (retained), Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lankan), Yudhvir Singh 

Spinners: Maheesh Theeksana (Sri Lankan), Kumar Kartikeya

Pacers: Sandeep Sharma (retained), Jofra Archer (English), Fazalhaq Farooqi (Afghan), Kwena Maphaka (South African), Akash Madhwal, Tushar Deshpande, Ashok Sharma

Brief SWOT analysis

Rajasthan Royals have retained strong batters, but excluding the English white-ball captain Jos Buttler. Buttler was an inspiring point for the team's batting line-up, and it is still not understandable why the team released Buttler despite his presence for the IPL 2025. However, Jaiswal, Hetmyer, Samson, Jurel, Riyan, etc. are some strong names in the present batting lineup. 

Royals’ pace and spin bowling options are really strong with some good alternative names. Overall, Rajasthan Royals can be a strong team for the IPL 2025. 

RR Best possible XI for IPL 2025

Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Shubham Dubey, Shimron Hetmyer, Nitish Rana, Jofra Archer, Wanindu Hasaranga, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Tushar Deshpande