The Rajasthan Royals were on top of their game a couple of seasons back. Not only did they make it to the IPL Finals in 2022, but they were probably the most well-rounded team in the IPL. They had all the makings of a great T20 side in them. A blockbuster opening pair, a stable middle order, powerful finishers, and an all-rounded bowling lineup. And they have stayed true to their very trustworthy Indian core before the all-important 2025 IPL Mega Auction.
RR are one of the two teams that have chosen to retain 6 players leaving them with no RTM options. In the likes of Dhruv Jurel, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Sanju Samson, Sandeep Sharma and Shimron Hetmyer, Rajasthan Royals have 6 players who will be all in their primes and still have a long way to go. So let’s take a look at the top 5 players RR will look to buy in the upcoming Auction to complete their superteam and recreate the heroics of 2008.
1. Mitchell Santner
Close your eyes Indian Cricket Lovers! Mitchell Santner, The one who has haunted India recently in the Test Series against New Zealand will be a great pick for RR. Since they have let go of both Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin, it is in the spin department that they need to work on the most.
The New Zealander wasn’t retained by the Chennai Super Kings and will be very much sought after in the Mega Auction. If RR is successful in bagging him it would be a great buy for the Team In Pink.
2. Mohammad Shami
His legacy precedes him. The currently injured Mohammad Shami has made a name for himself as one of the modern-day greats in the books of pace bowling. The man can literally deliver you wickets at any stage of the match. His pace and ability to nip the ball back into the body of the right-hander make him a great weapon.
Moreover, his experience will be very useful to the Rajasthan Royals. GT let him go when they could have easily held onto him. This suggests that they might not use the RTM option leaving Rajasthan Royals with a great chance of going after him.
3. Noor Ahmad
Partnering up with Mitchell Santner in the spin department could be Noor Ahmad, the young Afghanistani left-arm wrist spinner. Since making his international debut at just 17 years of age, the youngster has already drawn comparisons to Rashid Khan. His googlies and sharp leg breaks are difficult to break down for any batter.
But his true potency lies in his ability to be able to perform at any stage of the innings. May it be in the powerplay, the death or in the middle overs.
4. Cameron Green
The tall and lanky Australian might be the man to go for in the RR camp. The 25-year-old can bat at any position in the side and would be an ideal choice at no.3 or as an opener partnering up with Yashasvi Jaiswal. The added positive is that Cameron Green is also a very handy bowler and a gun fielder. This all-rounder package if RCB do not use the RTM option could be the one to go for.
With many years of cricket ahead of him Cameron Green can hope to emulate the legacy of another Australian great at RR, Shane Watson.
5. Khaleel Ahmed
The street-smart pacer could be a great addition to this team as he can swing the ball both ways and is effective in all phases of the game. Still only 26-years-old he is yet to hit his prime and Rajasthan Royals have a golden opportunity to pick him up at the upcoming 2025 IPL Mega Auction. With all the buzz around other Fast Bowlers in the auction, Khaleel Ahmed won’t go for a much higher fee as well.
Who do you think RR will go for in the upcoming Mega Auction? Let us know your opinion in the comments below.
