He Rajasthan Royals (RR) experienced a campaign of ups and downs in the IPL 2025 season, showing flashes of brilliance but struggling to maintain momentum when it mattered most. While its Indian core performed admirably under the leadership of Sanju SamsonThe foreign 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 in the future.
With the 2026 auction changing the makeup of the team, the Royals will be interested in retaining a balanced group of international stars who bring experience, skill and versatility. Based on performance and impact, here are three foreign players that RR can retain ahead of IPL 2026.
Rajasthan Royals 2025 campaign: Flashes of brilliance, but inconsistency costs
The Royals started their IPL 2025 campaign with tremendous intent, winning four of their first six games. His superior order, led by Yashasvi Jaiswal and Samson, gave them explosive starts, while their bowling attack, with Jofra Archer and Maheesh Theekshanaprovided early breakthroughs. However, as the season progressed, RR struggled with middle-order stability and failed to close out close matches, a recurring theme in their history.
Injuries and rotation among foreign players upset the balance of the team, causing RR to lose crucial matches in the second half of the league. Despite these obstacles, they managed to qualify for the playoffs, but once again fell short of the title. The 2025 season reinforced the need for stability and experience among foreign players, something RR will prioritize in its retention strategy ahead of IPL 2026.
RR may retain three foreign players ahead of IPL 2026 auction
1. Jofra Archer: the spearhead of the Royals
- Role: Fast bowler
- Price in 2025: INR 12.50 Crores
- Performance in 2025: 11 wickets in 12 matches, best figures – 3/25
Archer remains one of Rajasthan Royals’ most valuable foreign assets. The English sprinter may not have had a statistically outstanding season, but his presence and impact were undeniable. Archer’s pace, accuracy and ability to attack in both powerplays and deathplays made him Sanju Samson’s preferred bowler throughout the campaign.
Despite returning from a long injury layoff, Archer showed flashes of his old pace, posting quick speeds and troubling top-order hitters with sharp bounces and moves. His winning streak of 3/25 against KKR proved his ability to change the game. Given his experience and match-winning potential, Archer is an automatic choice for retention ahead of the IPL 2026 auction.
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2. Shimron Hetmyer – The Caribbean finalist
- Role: Finisher
- Price in 2025: 11 crores
- Performance in 2025: 239 runs in 14 games, 1 fifty
Hetmyer continued to play the finisher’s role for Rajasthan Royals, often providing late fireworks in tight chases. Although his overall numbers in IPL 2025 were modest (239 runs in 14 matches), his ability to shift momentum in the death overs remains a rare asset. His match-winning cameo against Mumbai Indians, where he hit 32* off 13 balls, reminded fans of his explosive potential.
Hetmyer’s power against pace and spin makes him one of the few reliable finishers in T20 cricket. In addition, his experience and temperament in decisive moments provide balance to the medium-low level of RR. With limited Indian options for the finisher role, retaining Hetmyer could help RR maintain continuity and stability in their batting line-up for the 2026 season.
3. Maheesh Theekshana: the trump card
- Role: Spinner
- Price in 2025: INR 4.40 Crores
- Performance in 2025: 11 wickets in 11 games, best figures – 2/26
Sri Lanka’s Theekshana has quietly become a crucial component of RR’s bowling plans. Tasked with operating in the middle overs, he regularly stifled opposing batsmen with his subtle variations and control. Although his figures (11 wickets in 11 games) may not seem extraordinary, his economy rate and ability to create pressure often led to wickets from the other end.
Theekshana’s effectiveness on spin-friendly surfaces like Jaipur made it a valuable tactical weapon. His consistency, composure and powerplay ability give RR a versatile spin option. Given his age and growing reputation in T20, retaining Theekshana would be a smart long-term investment for the franchise.
Also READ: Mumbai Indians: 3 foreign players MI can retain ahead of IPL 2026 auction
