Rajasthan Royals’ retained players ahead of IPL 2025 mega auction

The Rajasthan Royals have narrowed down a list of preliminary retained players for the mega auction of IPL 2025. Sources close to the franchise revealed that Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, and Sandeep Sharma will stay with the franchise. Though the key names in the list include England’s limited-overs captain Jos Buttler and star leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, both are not available for the Royals as they still possess a Right-To-Match card for each of them in the auction.

The retention decisions mean the Royals will have a minimum deduction of INR 47 crores from their overall purse of INR 120 crores while having INR 73 crores left for any other purchases. If Royals were to retain Dhruv Jurel- who is a rising wicketkeeper-batter his deduction would go up to 65 crores, further dwindling the remaining budget left at INR 55 crores for the future auction.

Rajasthan Royals’ retained players: Samson, Parag, and Jaiswal to be the main assets

Samson, Parag, and Jaiswal are the three significant assets the Royals have to back in IPL 2024. Samson and Parag batted well. Both of them scored pretty good runs of 531 and 573 respectively. Jaiswal, though not as in form as in 2023, has been good enough with the bat to be the first choice of the side opening the innings.

In 2024, Buttler was able to aggregate 359 runs at a strike rate of 141 before the damaging injury set in whereas Chahal-the man who topped IPL wickets ever – saved his skin by recording 18 wickets even though there was an increase in the economy rate.

Under the retention policy of IPL, any franchise can retain a maximum number of six players, with only two uncapped ones being allowed. Financial deductions follow minimum set structures; INR 18 crore for the first retained player down to INR 4 crore for the uncapped ones; the franchises can offer the players an amount that they like to above the set limit.

The retention lists are due by October 31. Some franchises are still working out details, but all teams are preparing to submit their choices ahead of the hotly anticipated 2025 auction.