Rajasthan Royals (RR) is one of the most exciting teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Known for backing young talent and playing fearless cricket, the team has had an interesting journey in the league. From winning the first IPL title in 2008 to facing bans and making strong comebacks, RR has seen many ups and downs.
With IPL 2025 around the corner, let’s take a detailed look at Rajasthan Royals’ history, their past performances, ownership details, and the full squad for this season.
The Journey of Rajasthan Royals in IPL
Rajasthan Royals was one of the eight original teams when the IPL started in 2008. The team, led by the legendary Shane Warne, stunned everyone by winning the inaugural IPL season. The Royals were known for scouting young, lesser-known players and turning them into match-winners.
However, after their magical 2008 win, the team struggled for consistency. RR remained a competitive side but failed to win another IPL title. They were runners-up in Champions League T20 (2013) and IPL 2022 under Sanju Samson’s captaincy.
The team has reached the IPL playoffs multiple times but couldn’t repeat their 2008 success.
Performance Over the Years
Let’s take a look at Rajasthan Royals’ performance in every IPL season:
- 2008 – Champions (Defeated CSK in the final)
- 2009 – Finished 6th
- 2010 – Finished 7th
- 2011 – Finished 6th
- 2012 – Finished 7th
- 2013 – Finished 3rd, but players were involved in a spot-fixing scandal
- 2014 – Finished 5th
- 2015 – Finished 4th, but the team was banned for two years
- 2018 – Finished 4th (Ajinkya Rahane as captain)
- 2019 – Finished 7th (Steve Smith returned as captain)
- 2020 – Finished 8th
- 2021 – Finished 7th
- 2022 – Runners-up (Lost final to Gujarat Titans)
- 2023 – Failed to reach playoffs, finished 5th
- 2024 – Qualified for playoffs, lost Qualifier 2 against Sunrisers Hyderabad
Bans and Controversies
Rajasthan Royals has also faced several controversies in its IPL history.
- 2013 Spot-Fixing Scandal: Some RR players were caught in an illegal betting and spot-fixing case, which led to legal actions.
- 2015-2017 Ban: The team was banned for two years along with Chennai Super Kings after an investigation by the Lodha Committee. The owners faced legal issues regarding improper financial transactions.
After returning in 2018, the team has been working to rebuild its reputation and has remained a strong contender in the IPL.
Rajasthan Royals’ Owners and Management
The Rajasthan Royals franchise is owned by Emerging Media Sporting Holdings Ltd., which holds a 65% stake in the team. Other major investors include Lachlan Murdoch and RedBird Capital Partners.
The team has had ownership disputes in the past, leading to temporary exclusion from the IPL. However, RR remains a financially profitable franchise and has been a key part of the league.
Home Grounds of Rajasthan Royals
RR plays its home matches at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur. The team also plays some matches at ACA Stadium, Guwahati.
Rajasthan Royals’ Head Coach for IPL 2025
For IPL 2025, Rajasthan Royals has appointed former Indian cricketer Rahul Dravid as their head coach. Dravid was a part of the RR squad as a player and mentor earlier. His leadership and cricketing knowledge are expected to help the team perform better in the upcoming season.
Rajasthan Royals Squad for IPL 2025
The team has a mix of experienced international players and young Indian talents. Here is the full squad for IPL 2025:
Batsmen & Wicketkeepers
- Sanju Samson (Captain & Wicketkeeper)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Dhruv Jurel (Wicketkeeper)
- Shimron Hetmyer
- Riyan Parag
- Nitish Rana
- Shubham Dubey
All-rounders
- Tushar Deshpande
- Yudhvir Singh Charak
- Kunal Rathore
Bowlers
- Sandeep Sharma
- Jofra Archer
- Wanindu Hasaranga
- Mahesh Theekshana
- Akash Madhwal
- Kumar Kartikeya Singh
- Vaibhav Arora
- Ashok Sharma
Key Players to Watch in IPL 2025
- Sanju Samson: The captain has been a consistent performer with the bat and a smart leader.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal: One of India’s rising stars, known for his aggressive batting.
- Jofra Archer: A match-winner with his express pace and all-round abilities.
- Wanindu Hasaranga: A world-class spinner who can also contribute with the bat.
- Shimron Hetmyer: A destructive middle-order batsman capable of changing the game in a few overs.
- Akash Madhwal: An emerging pacer who has shown great promise.
Expectations from Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2025
The Rajasthan Royals team for IPL 2025 looks balanced with a strong batting lineup, all-rounders, and a solid bowling attack. With Rahul Dravid as the head coach and Sanju Samson leading the side, fans are expecting a strong performance this season.
Rajasthan Royals will aim to repeat their 2008 success and win their second IPL title after 17 years. The team has been improving every season, and with the right strategy, they can be serious contenders for IPL 2025.
