Rajasthan Royals became the second team to be knocked out the IPL 2025 playoffs race on Thursday after losing to MI by 100 runs. RR have made quite some questionable decisions in terms of retentions, although the fielding coach defended their auction strategy. Players like Jurel and Hetmyer, who have been retained for high amounts have simply failed to live up to the expectations.
It is quite obvious that RR can’t afford to let go of Samson, Jaiswal and Parag. They, after all, are a part of the side’s core team. However, RR can surely let go of some others who are more of a liability to the side.
Hetmyer simply not worth
RR’s plan to retain Shimron Hetmyer for Rs 11 crore has simply backfired on them in this season. In 11 matches so far, he has only scored 187 runs, completely failing to live up to his reputation as a destructive finisher. It wasn’t that he had a good season in 2024.
He, in fact, recorded more poorer figures then, with just 113 runs from 9 innings. Over the last two seasons, his average has been 22.60 and 20.77 respectively. It is high time that RR free up their purse by getting rid of this liability.
Jurel not worth Rs 14 crore
Another high-paid retention is that of Dhruv Jurel. The keeper-batter was retained for a whooping Rs 14 crore ahead of the mega auction. While he has proved to be one of RR’s most consistent batters in IPL 2025, he simply isn’t worth paying Rs 14 crore.
So far in IPL 2025, Jurel has 249 runs from 11 games. It would be wise for RR to release him ahead of the IPL 2026 auction and instead focus on buying him back for a lower price. What this does is it will free up RR’s purse and allow them to target other powerhouse players.
Release Deshpande, Mapakha and Rana
Tushar Deshpande was bagged by RR for Rs 6.50 crore. He did have a good season with CSK in 2024 before being released ahead of the mega auction. However, in IPL 2025, he has only managed to take 6 wickets in 8 games. To make matters worse, he averages 45.00 and boasts of an economy rate over 11.
Kwena Mapakha made his move from MI to RR after being bought for Rs 1.5 crore. However, he is yet to make his debut for RR. The team could simply add Rs 1.5 crore to their purse by releasing him ahead of IPL 2026 auction and look for another bowling option whom they could regularly use instead.
Nitish Rana was paid a whooping Rs 4.20 crore to play for RR. While he has shown glimpses of his prowess, the ex-KKR batter has only scored 217 runs in 11 matches. It makes zero sense for RR to retain him in their side, given that he has made bare minimum impact.
RR squad in IPL 2025
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Nitish Rana, Riyan Parag(c), Dhruv Jurel(w), Shimron Hetmyer, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Sandeep Sharma, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Shubham Dubey, Kumar Kartikeya, Tushar Deshpande, Akash Madhwal, Kunal Singh Rathore, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Kwena Maphaka, Ashok Sharma
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