The inaugural IPL winners, Rajasthan Royalshad a great season in 2026 as they made it to Qualifier 2 before being knocked out. Royals have become one of the top sides in the league over the last few years. In the last campaign, they finished fourth in the standings with 16 points after securing eight wins from 14 games.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will be watched closely in the 20th edition, with the youngster set to have his second full season in the league. The southpaw scored 776 runs and was the leading run-scorer last year. He also hit 72 sixes, which is the most in a single edition in the league, breaking Chris Gayle’s record of 59 sixes set during the 2012 edition.

With the next round of releases and retentions just a week away, the side will have some huge decisions to make. They might have to part ways with a few names.

Here are the five players Rajasthan Royals could release

5- To you Mapaka

The 20-year-old South African pacer Kwena Maphaka emerged as a player to watch out for after his exploits in the 2024 Under-19 WC. After his arrival in RR ahead of the 2025 season,he has played just two games and spent the entire 2026 season on the bench. Royals could part ways with the seamer to make way for another overseas option.

4- Yudhvir Singh

Jammu and Kashmir all-rounder didn’t feature in any of the games during the 2026 season. The 29-year-old played four games for Rajasthan in 2025 and claimed four wickets with a best of 3/47. Yudhvir is a talented player, but the Jaipur-based franchise may want to look for another alternative during the upcoming auction.

3-Dasun Shanaka

The veteran Sri Lankan star is one of the best hitters in the T20I format, but somehow he hasn’t been given a consistent run in the league. Dasun Shanaka just played seven games last season and scored 63 runs, with a best of 29 and a strike rate of 139. He also picked up a wicket, and the potential return of Sam Curran could see Shanaka leave the franchise.

2- Sandeep Sharma

One of the most experienced bowlers in the IPL, Sandeep Sharma had a season to forget in 2026. The veteran pacer claimed five wickets from six games at an economy rate of 11.39 runs per over. Sharma has taken 151 wickets from 143 games, but he could very well see his name on the release list, with the franchise likely to target a younger alternative.

1- Ravi Bishnoi

Former World Number 1 T20I bowler hasn’t been at his best in the last few years with the ball. Ravi Bishnoi took 11 wickets last season from nine games, but his economy rate and lack of variation are a cause of concern. The emergence of Yash Raj Punja could lead to the exit of the 26-year-old ahead of the next mini-auction.