The Rajasthan Royals are gearing up for the IPL 2025 mega auction with key retention decisions made ahead of the deadline. According to somsurces, the franchise is set to retain four pivotal players: Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, and Sandeep Sharma. In a significant shift, England’s white-ball captain Jos Buttler and Indian legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal will not be retained, although the team retains the option to use their right-to-match cards to reacquire them at the auction.
The Royals are still weighing the decision on wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel, who has emerged as a promising talent since his signing at the 2022 mega auction for INR 20 lakhs. Jurel’s performances have seen him cement his place in the regular playing XI, culminating in a Test debut for India earlier this year. He has impressed with his dynamic batting style, contributing 347 runs at a strike rate of 151.52 over 22 innings for the Royals.
The retention of Samson, Jaiswal, Parag, and Sandeep will cost the Royals a minimum of INR 47 crore from their overall purse of INR 120 crore, with an additional INR 18 crore penalty if Jurel is also retained, leaving the team with approximately INR 55 crore for the auction. Notably, Sandeep qualifies as an uncapped player since he hasn’t played international cricket in the last five years, impacting the retention costs.
Samson, Parag, and Sandeep were instrumental in the Royals’ playoff run during IPL 2024. Samson and Parag had standout seasons, scoring 531 and 573 runs respectively, with Parag even earning his T20I debut for India post-season. Sandeep, who joined the Royals for INR 50 lakh in the 2023 auction, delivered a stellar performance with 13 wickets at an economy rate of 8.18, primarily bowling in crucial phases of the game.
While Jaiswal’s 2024 season saw him score 435 runs at a strike rate of 152—lower than his impressive 625 runs in 2023—his potential as one of India’s leading young batsmen makes him a valuable long-term asset for the franchise.
Buttler, despite being a fan favorite and key player for the Royals, struggled in the 2024 season, amassing 359 runs at a strike rate of 141. Chahal, the highest wicket-taker in IPL history, recorded 18 wickets last season but was often used as an Impact Player, which may have influenced the Royals’ decision not to retain him.
As the retention deadline approaches on October 31, the IPL teams are permitted to retain up to six players each, including a maximum of five capped internationals and two uncapped players. The financial implications of player retention remain significant, with established rules dictating minimum deductions from the auction purse for retained players.
With the mega auction just around the corner, the Rajasthan Royals are clearly focusing on building a strong foundation for the future while keeping an eye on potential returning stars.
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