Rajasthan Royals Schedule IPL 2025: Inaugural Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Rajasthan Royals will kick off their IPL 2025 campaign against 2024 runners-up Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), in an away game. RR started off well in IPL 2024, but fell away in the second half of the season, ultimately losing to SRH in the Qualifier 2. RR retained captain Sanju Samson, alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Riyan Parag and Sandeep Sharma ahead of the mega auction. Their costliest purchase came in the form of English pacer Jofra Archer. The team also welcomed Rahul Dravid as their head coach ahead of IPL 2025.

Here is Rajasthan Royals’ IPL 2025 schedule in full:

25 March: GT vs PBKS – Ahmedabad – 7:30 PM IST

1 April: LSG vs PBKS – Lucknow – 7:30 PM IST

5 April: PBKS vs RR – New Chandigarh – 7:30 PM IST

8 April: PBKS vs CSK – New Chandigarh – 7:30 PM IST

12 April: SRH vs PBKS – Hyderabad – 7:30 PM IST

15 April: PBKS vs KKR – New Chandigarh – 7:30 PM IST

18 April: RCB vs PBKS – Bengaluru – 7:30 PM IST

20 April: PBKS vs RCB – New Chandigarh – 3:30 PM IST

26 April: KKR vs PBKS – Kolkata – 7:30 PM IST

30 April: CSK vs PBKS – Chennai – 7:30 PM IST

4 May: PBKS vs LSG – Dharamshala – 7:30 PM IST

8 May: PBKS vs DC – Dharamshala – 7:30 PM IST

11 May: PBKS vs MI – Dharamshala – 3:30 PM IST

16 May: RR vs PBKS – Jaipur – 7:30 PM IST

RR IPL 2025 Squad: Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Sandeep Sharma, Jofra Archer (Rs. 12.50 crore), Maheesh Theekshana (Rs. 4.4 crore), Wanindu Hasaranga (Rs. 5.25 crore), Akash Madhwal (Rs. 1.20 crore), Kumar Kartikeya (Rs. 30 lakh), Nitish Rana (Rs. 4.20 crore), Tushar Deshpande (Rs. 6.50 crore), Shubham Dubey (Rs. 80 lakh), Yudhvir Singh (Rs. 35 lakh), Fazalhaq Farooqi (Rs. 2 crore), Vaibhav Suryavanshi (Rs. 1.10 crore), Kwena Maphaka (Rs. 1.50 crore), Kunal Rathore (Rs. 30 lakh), Ashok Sharma (Rs. 30 lakh).

RR Full Squad, IPL 2025: Rajasthan Royals were pro-active on Day 1 of the IPL 2025 Mega Auction, spending majority of their kitty on some big names on Sunday. Jofra Archer emerged as the most expensive buy as RR brought back their former player for a whopping sum of Rs 12.50 crore. Having retained their core group of players, RR bolstered their group with the prominent signings of Maheesh Theekshana, Wanindu Hasaranga, Nitish Rana, Tushar Deshpande and Fazalhaq Farooqi. On Day 2 of the auction, RR pulled off some smart buys, mostly on uncapped Indian stars. (Full Squad)

PLAYERS BOUGHT:

1. Jofra Archer – Rs 12.5 crore

2. Maheesh Theekshana – Rs 4.4 crore

3. Wanindu Hasaranga – Rs 5.25 crore

4. Akash Madhwal – Rs 1.2 crore

5. Kumar Kartikeya – Rs 30 lakh

6. Nitish Rana – Rs 4.40 crore

7. Tushar Deshpande – Rs 6.50 crore

8. Shubham Dubey – Rs 80 lakh

9. Yudhvir Singh – Rs 35 lakh

10. Fazalhaq Farooqi – Rs 2 crore

11. Vaibhav Suryavanshi – Rs 1.1 crore

12. Kwena Maphaka – Rs 1.5 crore

13. Kunal Rathore – Rs 30 lakh

14. Ashok Sharma – Rs 30 lakh

Full list of retained players: Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Sandeep Sharma, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel

Full list of released players: Jos Buttler, Kunal Rathore, Donovan Ferreira, Rovman Powell, Shubham Dubey, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Ravichandran Ashwin, Tanush Kotian, Abid Mushtaq, Avesh Khan, Kuldeep Sen, Navdeep Saini, Keshav Maharaj, Trent Boult, Yuzvendra Chahal, Nandre Burger

RR Full Squad, IPL 2025: List Of Players Bought By Rajasthan Royals© BCCI

The IPL 2025 mega auction retention rules were announced by the Indian Premier League (IPL) Governing Council on Sunday. Alongside the rule that IPL franchises can retain upto a maximum of six players including one uncapped player, there was a twist. An old law – that had been there since 2008 but removed in 2022 – was reinstated ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. This is the law that allows Indian players who haven’t played an international game in more than five years to be retained as ‘uncapped player’.

IPL franchises have to retain a minimum of one uncapped player, at Rs 4 crore, if they choose to keep all six retentions. The Governing Council’s new law opens up the door for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to retain legendary India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni for a small amount.

“A capped Indian player will become uncapped, if the player has in the last five calendar years preceding the year in which the relevant Season is held, not played in the starting XI in International Cricket (Test match, ODI, Twenty20 International) or does not have a Central Contract with BCCI. This will be applicable for Indian Players only,” the BCCI said in a release.

However, Dhoni isn’t the only player who can be retained in this way. Here is the full list of nine players who have played internationals for India, but can be retained as ‘uncapped’:

Piyush Chawla – Mumbai Indians

The veteran leg-spinner last played for India in 2012, and could be a spin solution for five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians.

Sandeep Sharma – Rajasthan Royals

The pacer showed glimpses of great form during IPL 2024, and can be a smart retention by Rajasthan, who have appointed Rahul Dravid as head coach.

Rishi Dhawan – Punjab Kings

The all-rounder played three ODIs and one T20I for India in 2016, and therefore can be retained as uncapped.

Mayank Markande – Sunrisers Hyderabad

Only 26, spinner Mayank Markande used to be an IPL regular for Mumbai Indians, and can be retained cheaply by Sunrisers.

Vijay Shankar – Gujarat Titans

Once selected for India’s squad in the 2019 World Cup, Vijay Shankar has not played for India since that year.

Mohit Sharma – Gujarat Titans

Like Vijay Shankar, Mohit is also a former World-Cupper for India (2015). Having picked up 40 wickets over the last two IPL seasons, he could be a handy retention.

Amit Mishra – Lucknow Super Giants

The ageless Amit Mishra could be a smart retention by LSG, particularly with the Impact Player rule set to stay.

Karn Sharma – Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Having played just one Test, one T20I and two ODIs for India, he is an ‘uncapped’ retention option for Virat Kohli‘s RCB.

MS Dhoni – Chennai Super Kings

In what is surely a move waiting to happen, Dhoni can be retained by CSK for no more than Rs 4 crore ahead of the 2025 IPL Mega Auction.

Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson had special praise in store for Sandeep Sharma after witnessing an inspirational performance from the pacer. Rajasthan’s campaign ended on a heartbreaking note after their hopes of reaching the final ended with a 36-run defeat. Despite Rajasthan’s shortcomings, Sandeep stood out with his precise swinging deliveries. On a night when spinners reigned supreme, the 31-year-old speedster left his impression with a performance soothing to the eyes.

His performance summed up the season he enjoyed. Samson has closely witnessed Sandeep do his magic throughout the season and named him the “next guy” after stalwart speedster Jasprit Bumrah.

“I am happy for him. By not being picked in the auctions and coming back as a replacement. The way he bowled, he has delivered. If we look at the numbers, Sandeep Sharma in the last two years, he (Sandeep) will be the next guy after Bumrah. He has done a great job,” Samson said after the game.

During the game, he picked up two crucial wickets of SRH’s power-hitting duo of Travis Head and Heinrich Klaasen. He ended the game with 2/25 in his four over spell.

In the previous edition of the tournament, Sandeep went unsold in the IPL auction. He was signed by the Royals as a replacement for Prasidh Krishna.

From that moment, he has emerged as a crucial figure for Rajasthan in their pace bowling set-up.

Sandeep ended the season with 13 wickets under his belt in 11 matches at an economy of 8.18 and a strike rate of 17.54.

Apart from Sandeep, Rajasthan enjoyed the presence of youngsters Dhruv Jurel and Riyan Parag.

Both players were instrumental in their batting set-up throughout the season. When the majority of the batters perished, Jurel took the fight to the opposition with his knock of 56*.

“We have had some brilliant games not only this season but from the last three years, it has been a great project for our franchise. We have found some great talent for the country. Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel and a lot of them are looking exciting not only for RR but definitely for the Indian cricket team. We have had some great seasons from the last three years,” Samson added.

While Rajasthan fell short in booking their berth for the final, Samson is optimistic about enjoying a great final between Sunrisers and Kolkata Knight Riders.

“The condition suits both of them, so let’s see how they come back again in the powerplay. SRH batsmen are very interesting, they can take the game away. KKR also will be confident, they look very exciting. It’ll be a great game, that’s what IPL has been giving us for the last 16 years,” Samson concluded.

Recapping the match, after winning the toss, Samson decided to bowl. Heinrich Klaasen’s 50-run blitz helped Sunrisers post 175/9 on the board.

In reply, the spin duo didn’t allow Rajasthan to stay close to the asking rate. The pacers did their job and kept the batters at bay. Rajasthan succumbed to 139/7 and suffered a 36-run defeat.

Sunrisers will face Kolkata Knight Riders in the final of the ongoing edition at Chepauk on Sunday.

IPL 2024: File photo of Sunil Gavaskar© Twitter

RR’s Sandeep Sharma celebrates after the wicket of MI’s Tim David, during the IPL match against Mumbai Indians at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur, on April 22, 2024.
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

You have to have a big heart when bowling at the death while trying to execute your plans, insisted Rajasthan Royals medium pacer Sandeep Sharma after recording the ongoing IPL season’s best bowling performance.

Bowling after a three-week injury layoff, the 30-year-old Sharma wreaked havoc in the Mumbai Indians camp with a splendid 5 for 18 on Monday.

“In this year’s IPL, batters are going big and with the impact player rule, there is an extra batter so the games are high-scoring. You have to have a big heart while bowling at the death and try to execute your plans and bowl good balls,” he said after RR’s nine-wicket win over MI.

Sharma, who started off as a new-ball exponent in the IPL, has been tasked to bowl the death overs by the Royals in the three games that he has played this season.

“Even today you ask me where I feel comfortable, I’ll say it’s with the new ball. With the old ball, you have to adapt and evolve as a bowler,” he said.

Sharma returned to the RR playing XI after recuperating from a side strain that kept him out for close to a month.

“I was working hard towards my fitness for the last three weeks. I had two practice sessions before the game, my main focus was to execute the variations that I did tonight.” Against MI, Sharma’s scalps included the dangerous Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, the big hitting Tim David, Ishan Kishan and Gerald Coetzee.

He took three wickets in the final over, restricting MI to 179 despite a 99-run stand between Varma and Nehal Wadhera.

“If you’re bowling at the death, it can go both ways. Sometimes, you go for runs, and when you’re lucky enough you end up getting a wicket. When we started, the wicket was low and slow. My plan was to keep bowling those cutters and it came off nicely tonight.” he said.

MI optimistic despite loss to RR

Mumbai Indians fell to their fifth loss of the season but young batter Nehal Wadhera remained optimistic about the five-time champions’ chances of qualifying for the playoffs.

“MI need to win all their games from here and we need to tighten our socks. We need to raise our game and figure out where we have been going wrong or where we have been going right so that we can rectify our mistakes whenever we return,” Wadhera said after the match.

The 23-year-old, who smashed a splendid 24-ball 49, pointed out that MI aren’t new to being involved in a mid-table muddle, having risen from the proverbial ashes time and again.

“We have been in such a situation in earlier seasons as well, and we have, you know, upped our game from there and qualified.

“So, we are optimistic even right now. We will continue the process we are following and win the games for the team. We win as a team, and we lose as a team,” Wadhera added.