IPL 2025: Sanju Samson of course, but who are the other Rajasthan Royals ‘Power Players’ this season?

Under Shane Warne, Rajasthan Royals lifted the maiden IPL title. The story was not very pleasant since then -- until they found a trustworthy and capable leader in Sanju Samson. 

A switch to pink (to signify Jaipur) from blue turned the fortunes for the side as they have managed to perform consistently in the past few years. Samson almost led the team to a second title but fell agonisingly short to debutants Gujarat Titans in 2022.

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However, the mega auction meant Rajasthan Royals lost some stars who were pivotal to their consistent performance. It needs to be seen how the side will fare sans Jos Buttler, Yuzi Chahal and others in its ranks. Many fans and pundits have already written off the side due to poor auction calls. The team got 11 absolute matchwinners, but even if a single one of them becomes unavailable, a lack of squad depth could kick the team into a gorge, they claim.

With Sanju Samson nursing an injury, young Riyan Parag would lead the team in the first three games of the season.

READ HERE | IPL 2025: Why Riyan Parag, and not Yashasvi Jaiswal, will lead Rajasthan Royals in Sanju Samson’s absence

Here are five players who can prove critics wrong and bring wind to Rajasthan Royals's sails as the IPL 2025 season progresses.

YASHASVI JAISWAL

With an average of 32.14 and a strike rate of 150.60, Yashasvi Jaiswal is a dream opener for any T20 side. The young left-hander has amassed 1,009 runs in powerplay overs alone in the tournament justifying why RR retained him for Rs 18 crore. Buttler not being retained means Jaiswal have a bigger role to play this season and ensure the Pink Army is guaranteed an explosive start each time.

SHIMRON HETMYER

Shimron Hetmyer was the only overseas player to have been retained by the RR at a value of ₹11 crores. The Guyanese have maintained an impressive strike rate of 156.48 across the three seasons. He is once again expected to be RR's destructive finisher in an otherwise all-Indian batting line-up and can't afford to fail.

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SANDEEP SHARMA

Sandeep Sharma | AFP

Sandeep Sharma, who was included as a replacement player in IPL 2023 by the Royals, has been retained as the only uncapped player by the franchise at a value of ₹4 crores. The medium pacer had transitioned into a reliable death option for the team. He picked up 23 wickets at an economy of 8.39 across 2 seasons and had a notable run in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25.

WANINDU HASARANGA 

The team lacks proper all-rounders and the Sri Lankan is the closest they have to fill the void left by Ravi Ashwin. Royals bought the classy leg-spinner for ₹5.25 crore during the IPL 2025 mega auction held in Jeddah. He was part of RCB from 2021 to 2023 and was the team's highest wicket-taker in 2022 with 26 scalps at an average of 16.54. Although he was bought by SRH last season, an injury kept him out for the entire season. 

SANJU SAMSON

Sanju Samson | AP

Among all captains to have led an IPL side in 2021, Sanju Samson is the only one to still lead the same side today. Samson made 531 runs in 15 innings last season, achieving an average of 48.27 and a strike rate of 153.46.  With Jos Buttler out of the picture, the hard-hitting wicketkeeper batter is likely to promote himself to the opening slot. He got just three fifties in 24 IPL innings as an opener, but that was before he smashed three T20I centuries in the blue jersey. Need we say more!