The Rajasthan Royals’ retention and auction plan for IPL 2025 has been questioned intensely following the team’s early elimination from playoff contention. After a thumping 100-run loss to Mumbai Indians in Jaipur, RR became the second team to fall out of playoff contention, achieving just three victories in eleven matches. Experts and retired players have directly blamed the franchise’s retention and auction plan as a core reason for the disappointing season.
Key highlights of the Rajasthan Royals retention and auction plan:
- RR retained six players: Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, and Sandeep Sharma for a total ₹79 crore out of a ₹120 crore budget.
- The franchise released some experienced names like Jos Buttler, Trent Boult, R Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Avesh Khan and did not repurchase them at the auction.
- This left RR with a young Indian batting core, with only Hetmyer as an overseas batting option, and raised questions about the absence of seniority and experience in the lineup.
Experts such as Aakash Chopra have questioned whether an all-Indian, relatively inexperienced batting order is possible in a high-pressure tournament such as the IPL, particularly without a senior overseas batter such as Buttler to steady the ship.
| Player Retained | Amount (₹ crore) |
|---|---|
| Sanju Samson | 18 |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | 18 |
| Riyan Parag | 14 |
| Dhruv Jurel | 14 |
| Shimron Hetmyer | 11 |
| Sandeep Sharma | 4 |
The Rajasthan Royals retention and auction approach was guided strongly by skipper Sanju Samson, who was very much involved in the decision-making. Head coach Rahul Dravid was adamant about retaining a nucleus, which would provide stability and a solid platform for the future. But this also meant less auction purse and less flexibility to plug gaps in the team, especially in bowling and overseas-experienced batting compartments.
- The move to release seasoned players such as Buttler and Chahal, who had been central in the earlier seasons, has been controversial.
- The young Indian core of the team, although gifted, was unable to cope with the pressure at key moments without a seasoned statesman to counsel them.
- The shortage of depth and experience, particularly in the middle order and bowling lineup, became evident towards the latter part of the season.
In summary, the Rajasthan Royals retention and auction plan for IPL 2025 seems to have boomeranged, with the team suffering for putting youth and stability ahead of experience and proven players. This season will certainly call for a re-think as they try to rebuild for forthcoming campaigns.
