The Rajasthan Royals (RR) endured a disappointing season in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, finishing ninth in the points table. After a campaign
filled with inconsistency and injuries, the franchise will be eager to rebuild and come back stronger for the next edition.
Before the IPL 2026 auction, RR are likely to explore the trading window to make crucial changes and strengthen their core by bringing in players who can address their shortcomings. Here are three players RR might consider trading with other franchises ahead of the upcoming auction.
Here are 3 players whom RR might trade before IPL 2026 auction
Fazalhaq Farooqi
Afghanistan pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi could be one of the first players RR might look to trade. The left-arm fast bowler failed to make an impact during the season, going wicketless in the five matches he played. Moreover, his economy rate of around 10 proved costly for the franchise, as he struggled to contain batters in both powerplay and death overs.
Despite his potential, Farooqi’s lack of consistency and inability to deliver breakthroughs hurt RR’s bowling attack. The team might consider trading him to another franchise in exchange for a more experienced overseas pacer who can form a potent partnership with Jofra Archer.
Tushar Deshpande
Another player who could be on RR’s trading radar is Tushar Deshpande. The right-arm pacer featured in 10 matches during IPL 2025, claiming nine wickets, an underwhelming return compared to the league’s standards. While he had shown promise in his earlier stints with Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Deshpande struggled to replicate that form in RR colours.
His economy rate was on the higher side, and he often failed to deliver in crucial moments, allowing opposition batters to dominate. Given RR’s bowling woes, the management might look to trade him for another Indian pacer who can bring greater control to the attack.
Sanju Samson
Perhaps the biggest talking point ahead of the trade window could be Sanju Samson’s future with RR. The franchise captain has been linked with trade discussions over the past few months, and such a move might not be entirely out of the question. Samson endured an injury-plagued 2025 season, featuring in only nine matches and scoring 285 runs, well below his usual standards.
His sporadic appearances as an Impact Player also disrupted the team’s balance. With RR seeking stability and leadership, the management might consider trading Samson for another dynamic top-order batter who can bring both aggression and reliability to the lineup.
