IPL 2026: Top 3 Worst Releases by Rajasthan Royals in IPL History

Releasing players is often the toughest part of building an Indian Premier League arsenal. Every auction forces franchises to balance loyalty, budget, and long-term planning, and even one wrong call can have lasting consequences. 

Over the years, Rajasthan Royals have built a reputation for backing talent and identifying future stars, but a few departures eventually proved far more expensive than expected. However, some players who left the franchise later became elite performers for rival sides, making those exits difficult to ignore. On that note, here are the top three worst releases by the Rajasthan Royals in IPL history.

1. Jos Buttler

Jos Buttler was one of the most influential players in the Rajasthan Royals’ modern era. His explosive batting at the top of the order, ability to win matches single-handedly, and consistent run-scoring made him the backbone of their batting unit for several seasons. 

He also delivered one of the greatest individual campaigns in IPL history. Releasing a player of his stature for the Gujarat Titans was a huge gamble, especially given the impact he had already made for the franchise.