Rajasthan Royals (RR) experienced a tumultuous campaign in ipl 2025 The season is showing flashes of talent but struggling to maintain momentum when it matters most. While the Indian Corps performed commendably under his leadership sanju samsonThe overseas players contributed in phases but lacked consistency as a unit. Despite missing out on the final, RR showed enough promise to suggest that some key foreign names could form the backbone of their team going forward.
With the team composition set to change in the 2026 auction, the Royals will be keen to retain a balanced group of international stars who bring experience, skill and versatility. Based on performance and impact, here are three overseas players that RR could retain ahead of IPL 2026.
Rajasthan Royals’ 2025 campaign – flashes of talent, but the price of inconsistency
The Royals started their IPL 2025 campaign with tremendous intent, winning four of their first six matches. led their top order Yashasvi Jaiswal And Samson gave them an explosive start, while their bowling attack was excellent jofra archer And Mahesh TheekshanaProvided initial successes. However, as the season progressed, RR struggled with middle-order consistency and failed to finish tight matches – a recurring theme in their history.
Injuries and rotation of foreign players caused the team to lose balance, causing RR to lose important games in the latter half of the league. Despite these obstacles, they managed to qualify for the playoffs but missed out on the title once again. The 2025 season reinforced the need for stability and experience among overseas players – something that RR will prioritize in their retention strategy ahead of IPL 2026.
RR may retain 3 foreign players ahead of IPL 2026 auction
1. Jofra Archer – Royals fast bowler
- Role: fast bowler
- Price in 2025: Rs 12.50 crore
- performance in 2025: 11 wickets in 12 matches, best figures- 3/25
Archer is one of the most valuable overseas assets of Rajasthan Royals. The English speedster may not have had a standout season statistically, but his presence and impact were undeniable. Archer’s pace, accuracy and ability to strike in both the powerplay and death overs made him Sanju Samson’s favorite bowler throughout the campaign.
Despite returning from a long injury layoff, Archer showed glimpses of his old form, picking up pace and troubling the top-order batsmen with sharp bounce and movement. His match-winning spell of 3/25 against KKR showcased his game-changing ability. Given his experience and match-winning ability, Archer is an automatic choice to retain ahead of the IPL 2026 auction.
Also read: Royal Challengers Bangalore: RCB may retain 3 foreign players before IPL 2026 auction
2. Shimron Hetmyer – Caribbean Finisher
- Role: finisher
- Price in 2025: Rs 11 crore
- Performance in 2025: 239 runs in 14 matches, 1 half-century
Hetmyer continued to play the role of finisher for Rajasthan Royals, often providing late fireworks in tight challenges. Although his total in IPL 2025 was modest – 239 runs in 14 matches – his ability to change pace in the death overs remains a rare asset. His match-winning cameo against Mumbai Indians, where he scored 32* off 13 balls, reminded fans of his explosive ability.
Hetmyer’s power-hitting against pace and spin makes him one of the few reliable finishers in T20 cricket. Furthermore, his experience and temperament in difficult moments adds balance to RR’s lower middle order. With limited Indian options for the finisher role, retaining Hetmyer could help RR maintain consistency and stability in their batting lineup for the 2026 season.
3. Mahesh Theekshana – Spin Trump Card
- Role: spinner
- Price in 2025: Rs 4.40 crore
- performance in 2025: 11 wickets in 11 games, best figures – 2/26
Sri Lankan off-spinner Theekshana quietly became a key component of RR’s bowling plans. With the responsibility of handling the middle overs, he regularly troubled the opposition batsmen with his subtle variations and control. Although his figures – 11 wickets in 11 matches – may not seem extraordinary, his economy rate and ability to create pressure often fetches wickets at the other end.
Theekshana’s effectiveness on spin-friendly surfaces like Jaipur made it a valuable tactical weapon. His consistency, composure and ability to bowl powerplay overs provides RR with a versatile spin option. Given his age and growing T20 reputation, retaining Theekshana would be a smart long-term investment for the franchise.
Also read: Mumbai Indians: MI may retain 3 foreign players before IPL 2026 auction
