Rajasthan Royals might make major squad changes before the IPL 2026 auction. Several key players could be under review after a disappointing finish last season.

The Rajasthan Royals, the inaugural champions, are no exception to the trend of franchises evaluating their squads in anticipation of the IPL 2026 auction, which is not too distant.

Following a disappointing 2025 season in which the team placed ninth, management is contemplating substantial lineup adjustments to fortify the team.

The Royals’ failure to meet expectations led to discussions about the potential release of certain senior and foreign players, despite the exceptional performances of stand-in captain Riyan Parag, rookie Vaibhav Suryavanshi, and wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel.

It is probable that Sanju Samson will depart.

Sanju Samson, the current commander of the Rajasthan Royals, appears to be the subject of one of the most significant discussions.

The veteran batsman, who has scored 4,704 IPL runs exclusively for the franchise since his début in 2013, experienced a challenging season last season as a result of injuries, playing in only nine matches.

His consistency was impacted by the burden of captaincy, and his batting form declined, which made his release prior to the IPL 2026 auction a likely outcome. Nevertheless, it will be intriguing to observe the assessment of his position in the wake of India’s Asia Cup victory.

The spin department is currently being reviewed.

Maheesh Theekshna, a Sri Lankan spinner who was acquired for Rs 4.40 crore last season, also failed to impress.

He only managed to secure 11 wickets, with an economy rate of 9.26 and an average exceeding 37. Rajasthan’s management may be in search of a spinner who is more adaptable and can perform in both powerplay and death overs. This could result in Theekshna being dismissed.

The destiny of Shimron Hetmyer is uncertain.

Shimron Hetmyer, a middle-order batsman for the West Indies, is another player who may be scrutinized. He was retained for Rs 11 crore, but he only scored 239 runs in 14 games and struggled in the finisher role, which cost them several games.

The Royals may contemplate the release of Hetmyer in order to accommodate a new foreign power-hitter or finisher, as they have not exceeded the 300-run threshold since 2022.