Rajasthan Royals’ IPL 2026 campaign ends in playoff exit
Rajasthan Royals endured a mixed campaign in the 2026 Indian Premier League. After launching the season with four consecutive wins, the team struggled to maintain that momentum and ultimately finished the league stage in a transitional position. Despite the inconsistency, they secured a playoff berth by beating Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator, only to be ousted by Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2, bringing their title ambitions to a close.
The franchise has not tasted IPL glory since its inaugural championship in 2008. With the 2027 auction fast approaching, Rajasthan Royals are gearing up to build around a nucleus of emerging talent, notably Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and captain Riyan Parag. Consequently, a handful of players from the 2026 squad are expected to be left out of the retention list.
Three Rajasthan Royals players likely to be released ahead of IPL 2027
3. Sam Curran
Sam Curran, the England all-rounder, joined Rajasthan Royals via a trade with Chennai Super Kings prior to IPL 2026. The deal also saw Sanju Samson move to CSK in exchange for Ravindra Jadeja and Curran, with Curran valued at INR 2.4 crore. He withdrew from the tournament without featuring in a single match, sparking public friction with the RR management. Head coach Kumar Sangakkara voiced his disappointment at the player’s non‑participation. Since Curran contributed nothing on the field, Rajasthan may look to reallocate those funds during the IPL 2027 auction. It is worth recalling that Curran earned global recognition as Player of the Tournament at the 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, a testament to the talent the Royals had hoped to harness.
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