Rajasthan Royals

IPL 2025: Rajasthan Royals Likely To Retain Four Players

The Rajasthan Royals (RR) are likely to retain four players ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction, including Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag and Sandeep Sharma. Surprisingly, wicketkeeper-opening batter, Jos Buttler and leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal are not part of the initial retention list, however the Royals have the right-to-match for both and can try bringing them back at the auctions, as per reports.

Rajasthan Royals Deliberating On Jurel

Another name that has been deliberated is the wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel, picked up for INR 20 lakhs in an auction conducted to pick a team for the 2022 season. Recently, Jurel received his first India test cap playing a home test against England. It has been revealed that Jurel has been quite influential from the bottom end. For 22 innings, Dhruv Jurel has shown his excellence to hit at a strike rate of 151.52 for scoring 347 runs.

Budget Implications For Rajasthan Royals

These four retentions would take a minimum of INR 47 crore from the budget for the Royals. Including Jurel, that could take it to a higher INR 65 crore that would leave only INR 55 crore available to spend in the auction. As Sandeep is an uncapped player having not played international cricket over five years, there’s also the factor of regulations imposed by the IPL regarding a player’s status as one who has never represented any national team in any International Cricket match.

Retained Player Performances

This retained player group was crucial to the Royals’ making it to the IPL 2024 playoffs. Samson had his best IPL season with 531 runs, while Parag also had his most successful IPL season with 573 runs and earned a T20I debut with India. Sandeep, who was bought during the 2023 auction at INR 50 lakh, picked up 13 wickets at an economy of 8.18 and performed well in the powerplay and death overs. Although Jaiswal’s 2024 season was a bit subdued (435 runs at a 152 strike rate), he is one of India’s most promising young openers.

RR Uncertain For Buttler And Chahal

Jos Buttler and Yuzvendra Chahal, who have done so well in the past, have been considered to be in the retention list after their recent form and fitness issues. Buttler scored 359 runs with a strike rate of 141 in IPL 2024 but has been out since the T20 World Cup semi-final due to injuries. Chahal, on the other hand, stands as the highest wicket-taker in IPL’s history with 18 last season with an economy of 9.41 on most occasions when he bowls as an Impact Player to the Royals.

The Sportz Planet Desk,
Atharva Shetye

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