Rajasthan Royals Set to Retain Key Players Ahead of IPL 2025 Auction

According to ESPNcricinfo, the Rajasthan Royals (RR) are poised to retain four pivotal players—Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, and Sandeep Sharma—before the IPL 2025 mega auction. This strategic move will grant the 2008 champions two right-to-match (RTM) cards during the auction. Captain Sanju Samson had a standout season, amassing 531 runs in 16 matches, averaging 48.27 with a strike rate of 153.47, including three fifties and a top score of 82*. Yashasvi Jaiswal also made significant contributions, scoring 225 runs in 16 outings at an average of 32.14 and a strike rate of 157.34, featuring both a fifty and a century. Riyan Parag emerged as a key player, with 573 runs at an impressive average of 52.09 and four half-centuries, making him the third-highest run-scorer of the season. Meanwhile, Sandeep Sharma, who qualifies as an uncapped player under new rules, took 13 wickets in 11 matches at an economy rate of 8.18. The deadline for franchises to submit their retained player lists is October 31.