Rajasthan Royals IPL 2026 Preview: Squad, Strengths, Weaknesses & Key Players

A new season, a new captain, and a new owner. With Riyan Parag stepping into leadership amid ongoing ownership buzz, the intrigue is undeniable. But beyond the noise, the real question lingers: does this squad have what it takes to finally break its long-standing title drought?

Here are three things in focus for the Royals ahead of the next season.

FLYING STARTS

10.88

Highest PowerPlay run rate in IPL 2025

Despite an underwhelming season overall, Rajasthan Royals was the most explosive side in the first six overs. It was the only team to score at over 10 runs per over in the PowerPlay, combining aggression with consistency.

The left-handed pair of Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal led the charge. Suryavanshi struck at a remarkable 205.71, the highest among batters with a minimum of 100 runs in this phase, while Jaiswal’s 177.40 placed him fourth on the list. Royals also averaged 50.77 in the PowerPlay, the third-best in the competition.

MIDDLE-OVERS MELTDOWN

49.29

Worst bowling average in overs 7–15 in IPL 2025

Rajasthan Royals’ struggles with the ball in the middle overs proved decisive in its disappointing campaign. The side recorded a bowling average of 49.29, the worst among all teams by a considerable margin.

Royals picked up just 24 wickets in this phase, the lowest in the league, while also registering the lowest dot-ball percentage (23.2%). The inability to apply pressure meant the side conceded seven 200-plus totals in 14 matches, losing six of those games.

While Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga contributed wickets, the pace attack lacked penetration.

NEW-BALL FIX?

22

Sushant Mishra’s wickets in SMAT 2025–26

Left-arm pacer Sushant Mishra, signed for Rs. 90 lakh, arrives after an impressive domestic season. He was the joint-highest wicket-taker in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, claiming 22 wickets at an average of 17.18.

Mishra built a reputation as a death-overs specialist, taking 13 wickets between overs 16 and 20 while maintaining an economy of 8.47. With Rajasthan Royals conceding heavily at the death last season, his addition could address a key weakness.

Full squad

Head coach: Kumar Sangakkara

Squad: Riyan Parag (c), Dhruv Jurel, Donovan Ferreira, Ravi Singh, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubham Dubey, Lhuan-Dre Pretorius, Shimron Hetmyer, Aman Rao, Ravindra Jadeja, Dasun Shanaka, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Jofra Archer, Tushar Deshpande, Kwena Maphaka, Nandre Burger, Sushant Mishra, Kuldeep Sen, Adam Milne, Brijesh Sharma, Ravi Bishnoi, Vignesh Puthur, Yash Raj Punja

Published on Mar 26, 2026