Ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auctions, set for late November 2024, Rajasthan Royals (RR) finalised their retention list, holding on to six key players from their IPL 2024 squad.
While the franchise kept captain Sanju Samson and young talent Yashasvi Jaiswal for Rs 18 crore each, they also secured Dhruv Jurel and Riyan Parag for Rs 14 crore each, retained West Indies star Shimron Hetmyer for Rs 11 crore and Sandeep Sharma as an uncapped player for Rs 4 crore. Notably, RR released stalwarts like Jos Buttler, R. Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal and Trent Boult, sparking reactions among fans and analysts alike.
The decision to let go of top performers like Jos Buttler and Yuzvendra Chahal left many fans surprised. Chahal, RR’s leading bowler who won the Purple Cap in the IPL 2022 and took over 60 wickets for the team in the last three seasons, and Buttler, RR’s second-highest run-scorer in the franchise history, were unexpected exclusions. Trent Boult and R. Ashwin, seasoned international players with significant experience, also found themselves outside the retained list.
Rahul Dravid, RR’s newly appointed head coach after concluding his role with the Indian national team in mid-2024, provided clarity on these strategic decisions. Dravid highlighted the involvement of Sanju Samson in shaping the retention strategy, acknowledging the difficulty of parting ways with key players.
Rahul Dravid stated that the RR skipper Sanju Samson played a big role in the retentions; he added that it was difficult for Sanju Samson to finalise the retentions because as a captain, he has built relationships with the players of the team.
Dravid emphasised that Sanju Samson’s decisions were rooted in balancing personal ties with strategic needs. Rahul Dravid further said that Sanju took the trouble of understanding the dynamics of the retentions and he also listed out the pros and the cons.
The process involved comprehensive discussions and debates within the team management to reach a final consensus. The team’s leadership aimed to retain as many strong contributors as possible while preparing for a competitive 2025 season.
Key Retained Players
Sanju Samson: Retained for Rs 18 crore, he continues as RR’s captain and a key batsman.
Yashasvi Jaiswal: Another standout performer kept for Rs 18 crore, showcasing his rapid rise in the IPL.
Dhruv Jurel and Riyan Parag: Valued at Rs 14 crore each, highlighting RR’s investment in young domestic talent.
Shimron Hetmyer: Retained for Rs 11 crore, providing explosive middle-order batting.
Sandeep Sharma: An uncapped player kept for Rs 4 crore, offering pace options in the bowling lineup.
Undoubtedly, RR is banking on its core of retained talents and skipper Sanju Samson’s leadership to make a strong impact in the IPL 2025.
