This Rajasthan Royals (RR)The inaugural champion has consistently been one of the most exciting franchises Indian Premier League (IPL) Schedule of auctions. Their strategy often explored the opposite: sometimes hidden gems and other times a makeball approach, other times betting big on a big one-world win. This history of variable high costs has been central to team builds aimed at getting team anchor players with high skewed IQ. Rahul Dravid) or provide explosive, game-changing power (as Chris Morris and Ben Stokes).
IPL 2026: Sam Curran and the return of Ravindra Jadeja and Kumar Sangakkara
Heading into the IPL 2026 auction, Royals have completed one of the biggest trades in the league’s history by sending long-time captain Sanju Samson to CSK for Majlis Brilliance Ravindra jadeja and all-round dynamism Sam Curran.
This bold rebuild saw the return of the head coach Kumar SangakkaraRR will now enter the auction as they wish, as they wish, into a core built with two of the world’s best world boats Jaishvi Jaiswal and Jofra the archer. With a different purse (around INR 16.05 crore) and key slots to fill, the upcoming auction is crucial for the royals to establish a new leadership structure and acquire the experts needed to strategically complement their new trade and retained core.
Rajasthan Royals most expensive player bought in every IPL auction
1) 2008 to 2013: smart choices and mainstream Indian talent
- 2008: Mohammad Kaif (INR 2.5 crore) – Although Shane Warne was the first choice, the highest auction secured the fruit of the veteran Indian. This investment was key to adding a high-profile, experienced domestic cricketer to stabilize the early batting line-up.
- 2009: Tyrone Henderson (INR 6.5 Crore) – RR South Africa made the highest buyout in the second season. The investment was an attempt to find a versatile, high-impact foreign player that reflected the constrained spending environment of that year.
- 2010: Shaun Tait (INR 2.2 Crore) – The Express Australia Fast Bowler was the best buy at the low-spending auction. RR aimed to add real pace and terrorize the dead with one of the fastest bowlers in the world at the time.
- 2011: Johan Aotha & Ross Taylor (4.6 crore each) – In the mega-auction, RR shared their top spend between two experienced foreign players. Taylor was brought in as a dangerous middle-order powerhouse and was also valued for his defensive skills.
- 2012: Johan Botha (INR 4.5 crore) – Regaining the South African all-rounder at a high price showed RR’s continued contact with versatile and handy batting to anchor RR’s middle overs.
- 2013: James Faulkner (INR 4 Crore) – The Australian was a comprehensive strategic acquisition. RR hailed the left-arm spinner and his proven match-winning ability as a low-order finisher.
2) 2014 to 2017: consolidation and suspension
- 2014: Steve Smith (INR 4 Crore) – This was a significant, long-term strategic investment in acquiring the versatile Australian bat, who is seen as a future leadership option and a world-class batting anchor for the middle order.
- 2015: Karun Nair & Sanju Samson (4 crores each) – RR shared their top costs to secure two rising, talented Indian batsmen. This move highlighted their philosophy to support the future and local youth.
- 2016 & 2017: RR did not participate in the IPL due to a two-year suspension.
Read: KKR’s most expensive players in every IPL auction: Gautam Gambhir to Mitchell Starc
3) 2018 to 2025: returns and mega spends
- 2018: Ben Stokes (INR 12.5 Crore) – Celebrating their return to the league, RR made a Blockbuster statement by providing all of the English Star. Massive spending is designed to deliver a high-impact, world-class match-winning win to spark franchise revivals.
- 2019: Jaydev Unadkat (INR 8.4 Crore) – Despite being the previous year, RR backed the Indian left-arm pacer at a very high price for the second-order season, demonstrating their need for in-house pace and death-bowling experience.
- 2020: Ankit Rajpoot (INR 3 Crore) – The Indian fast bowler was the highest buy in a spotlight auction. RR aims to add depth and an experienced local pace option capable of closing spells in the deep middle and death.
- 2021: Chris Morris (INR 16.25 Crore) – RR broke the all-time IPL auction record for a South African all-rounder. The monumental offering had it all, desperate to provide a reliable, high-impact finisher and death bowler that they were missing.
- 2022: Prasidh Krishna (INR 10 Crore) – In the mega-auction, RR spent big on the tall, Indian fast bowler. This investment was a major move to build a strong, locally-paced battery around a young, consistent international performer.
- 2023: Trent Boult (INR 8 Crore) – Although he was traded, his price was off the auction floor, the star New Zealand left-arm fast bowler made the highest-value purchase of the season. Was very important to threaten by taking wickets in PowerPlay.
- 2024: Avesh Khan (INR 10 Crore) – RR has invested heavily in acquiring the services of an Indian Fast Bowler (via trade), values ​​his in-house ability to provide a strong partner for their pace attack.
- 2025: Jofra Archer (INR 12.5 Crore) – After a major trade shake-up, RR went big to re-acquire former star and English pace-bowling sensation. This massive offering provided an authentic match-winner and a highly effective bowler for his new-look team.
Read: Mumbai Indians most expensive players in every IPL auction: Rohit Sharma to Cameron green
