Published on: Mar 19, 2026 6:46 pm IST|Updated on: Mar 19, 2026 6:47 pm IST
Rajasthan Royals, the inaugural champions of the IPL, will be eager to make a strong statement in the 2026 edition. With only 4 wins from 14 games last season, the Royals finished ninth on the points table. With some big trades and fresh talent added to their squad, RR will be hoping to revive their campaign and return to the playoffs scene yet again.
For years, RR have been known as a team that backs young talent and nurtures future stars. With Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Suryavanshi already proven match-winners and the addition of experienced all-rounders like Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran, the Royals look well-balanced ahead of IPL 2026. Fans will be expecting the team to deliver a strong performance and possibly add a second title to their cabinet. In this post, we have compiled the best possible eleven for the Royals. Let’s take a look.
Last Season’s Finish: Ninth
Yashasvi Jaiswal has grown into one of India’s most reliable T20 openers, and his aggressive stroke play will be crucial for RR. Partnering him will be the raw and extremely talented Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who hit the fastest century by an Indian in IPL history in his debut season. Vaibhav’s stocks have risen abruptly after that scintillating knock, as he has been scoring runs all around the globe, representing India A and India U19.
Shimron Hetmyer was being used as a finisher in the last 2-3 seasons by RR. However, this season his role may be redefined, especially since he has been flexing his muscles at no 3 for the West Indies in T20Is. Playing perhaps the best cricket of his life in a long time, RR would look to use him at no 3 this season to get the most out of him.
Newly appointed skipper Riyan Parag has matured into a dependable all-rounder capable of changing games with both bat and ball. After a lackluster season in 2025, where he could manage only a solitary fifty, Riyan would be hoping to embrace regular captaincy with the best of his talent. Walking at no 5 would be Dhruv Jurel, the wicketkeeper. After getting exposure to Team India in Test cricket, Dhruv’s demeanor as a responsible batter has surely risen. The wicketkeeper batter has impressed with his calmness under pressure and will be key in anchoring the middle order for the Royals.
The Royals pulled off two blockbuster trades by acquiring Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. Jadeja’s experience, leadership, and all-round brilliance make him a priceless addition, while Curran’s left-arm pace and lower-order hitting add depth and versatility. Together, they form one of the strongest all-rounder pairings in the league.
If fit, Jofra Archer remains one of the most lethal fast bowlers in world cricket. His pace and bounce will be vital. The exciting young left-armer Kwena Maphaka adds further firepower with his ability to swing the ball at high speeds, while Sandeep Sharma’s prowess in the death overs makes him a prodigy. He has proved himself for the RR and remains a vital cog in this bowling lineup.
Back to his roots, Ravi Bishnoi will lead the spin department. His variations and control in the middle overs make him a genuine wicket-taking option, and he will be crucial in slowing down opposition scoring rates. He will get ample support from senior pro Ravindra Jadeja.
The bowling department looks stacked with multiple options in the lineup. Therefore, the management may opt for an extra batter in their impact sub privilege. With batters like Aman Rao, Ravi Singh, and Shubman Dubey in the mix, expect any of the three youngsters to play as an impact sub in the season.
Tags: IPL 2026