The Rajasthan Royals (RR), one of the most iconic franchises in the Indian Premier League, endured a season to forget in IPL 2025. Finishing ninth on the points table, the 2008 champions fell well short of expectations, prompting what many believe will be a major squad overhaul ahead of the IPL 2026 auction.
With just one title in their history and a growing hunger to reclaim their former glory, the Royals are likely to make bold calls to revamp their lineup. Here are five players RR might release as they look to rebuild for a stronger campaign next year:
1. Shimron Hetmyer
West Indies’ hard-hitting batter Shimron Hetmyer could be among the biggest names on RR’s release list. Retained for a hefty Rs 11 crore ahead of IPL 2025, Hetmyer failed to deliver the explosive performances expected of him. He managed only 239 runs in 13 innings at an average of 21.72, with few impactful knocks.
Once seen as a reliable finisher, Hetmyer struggled with consistency and game-finishing ability, leaving the Royals exposed in crunch moments. With better overseas finishing options likely to emerge in the 2026 auction, RR might choose to free up the budget and overseas slot.
2. Tushar Deshpande
Indian pacer Tushar Deshpande’s stint with the Royals in 2025 was riddled with inconsistency. Though he showed occasional flashes of promise, his inability to control runs in pressure situations proved costly. In 10 matches, Deshpande leaked runs at an average of 37.77, offering little support at the death.
Given RR’s urgent need for a dependable pace option, especially in the death overs, Deshpande could be shown the door in favour of a more reliable Indian seamer.
3. Maheesh Theekshana
Sri Lankan spinner Maheesh Theekshana was brought in to bolster RR’s spin department, but his performances fell short of expectations. In 11 matches, he picked up just 11 wickets, failing to make the kind of impact that justifies occupying a valuable overseas spot.
While Theekshana has had some success in the IPL before with Chennai Super Kings, his lack of penetration and control in key phases may push RR to consider other international spinners or all-rounders who can offer more balance to the squad.
4. Nitish Rana
Despite his experience and attacking batting style, Nitish Rana couldn’t cement his place in RR’s middle order. The left-hander scored 217 runs in 11 matches, but failed to play any significant, match-defining innings. His contributions often came in patches, and the team lacked a dependable anchor in pressure situations.
With younger Indian talents making waves and potential batting options up for grabs in the next auction, RR could decide to release Rana and invest in more consistent homegrown batting talent.
5. Fazalhaq Farooqi
Afghanistan’s left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi had a brief but forgettable run with RR in IPL 2025. Playing just five matches, he failed to pick up a single wicket and never really found his rhythm in Indian conditions. Despite his reputation in international cricket, Farooqi couldn’t adapt to the demands of the IPL.
Given the abundance of overseas pace talent available and Farooqi’s underwhelming impact, the Royals may look to offload him and seek a more effective option for their pace attack.
Last Thoughts
Rajasthan Royals have plenty to reflect on after their lackluster IPL 2025 performance. With the 2026 mega auction approaching, tough calls are inevitable, and these five players could be on the chopping block as RR aim to rebuild a more balanced, match-winning squad.
Stay tuned as the franchise prepares to make some high-stakes decisions that could define their future in the IPL.
Also Read: IPL faces shocking valuation decline – Here’s why it happened!
