Rajasthan Royals' IPL 2025: A Season of Missed Opportunities and Necessary Changes

A Season to Forget for Rajasthan Royals

The IPL 2025 season for Rajasthan Royals will be remembered as a significant example of squandered potential—a year where substantial investments in player retention clashed with disappointing performances on cricket's grandest stage. Once celebrated for their underdog spirit, the team now faces a pressing question: how did a franchise that spent over ₹50 crore on player retention end up failing so dramatically?

Their strategy of investing heavily in young talent backfired. While rival teams celebrated smart acquisitions, RR watched as their high-profile signings faltered under pressure. The heartbreaking one-run loss to KKR epitomized a season where expectations consistently fell short of reality.

The Need for a Rebuild

As the franchise contemplates yet another rebuilding phase, difficult decisions loom ahead. Sometimes, cutting losses is not just a strategy; it’s a matter of survival.

5 Players Rajasthan Royals Should Consider Releasing Before IPL 2026

Shimron Hetmyer

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Rajasthan's misplaced trust in Shimron Hetmyer’s explosive batting cost them ₹11 crore—significantly more than what they invested in established players like Jos Buttler in recent seasons. Unfortunately, the Guyanese left-hander delivered little more than disappointment, accumulating 239 runs in 13 innings with an average of 21.72, which no strike rate of 145.73 could mask.

The statistics reveal a troubling decline. Following a stellar 2022 season (314 runs at an average of 44.85), Hetmyer's performance in 2025 was a stark contrast. His highest score of 52 stood as the only bright spot in an otherwise dismal campaign. The most painful aspect was witnessing a proven finisher repeatedly falter in crucial moments, turning potential victories into painful losses.

Dhruv Jurel

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Dhruv Jurel, acquired for ₹14 crore, turned out to be RR's most expensive gamble. His tally of 333 runs in 13 matches at an average of 37.00 tells only part of the story; the other half is filled with frustrating near-misses and failures in high-pressure situations that defined RR's season.

Despite a strike rate of 156.33, Jurel struggled to convert promising starts into match-winning performances. His best score of 70 came too late to salvage RR's campaign, highlighting a pattern of missed opportunities. For a team desperately in need of finishers, Jurel became a symbol of unfulfilled potential.

Fazalhaq Farooqi

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Fazalhaq Farooqi's IPL 2025 season will be remembered as one of the most dramatic declines in tournament history. With zero wickets in five matches, the Afghanistan left-arm bowler conceded 210 runs in 102 balls, resulting in an astonishing economy rate of 12.35.

This wasn't merely poor performance; it was a record-breaking failure. After showing promise with SRH (6 wickets in 7 matches during 2022-23), Farooqi's time with RR became a lesson in how quickly T20 cricket can humble even the most established players. His transformation from a reliable asset to a liability highlighted the flaws in RR's recruitment strategy.

Tushar Deshpande

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Chennai Super Kings must be pleased with their decision to release Tushar Deshpande. The Mumbai-born pacer's sudden decline makes CSK's choice appear wise rather than a lapse in judgment.

Deshpande's fall from grace was evident, with only 9 wickets in 10 matches at an average of 37.77 and an economy rate of 10.62. Previously, he had been a reliable performer for CSK, but his time with RR showcased a stark contrast, as he failed to deliver the crucial breakthroughs the team needed.

Maheesh Theekshana

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Maheesh Theekshana presents a dilemma for RR. With 11 wickets from 11 matches and a 9.76 economy rate, he demonstrated competence but lacked the ability to deliver match-defining performances.

His bowling average of 37.27 and strike rate of 22.90 indicate steady contributions, but his limited batting output (10 runs from 4 innings) did not add significant value. Theekshana's situation raises questions about whether he is an asset worth retaining or a player that can be replaced without significant loss.

Conclusion

Rajasthan Royals find themselves at a critical juncture, where emotional ties clash with financial realities. Releasing these five players could free up approximately ₹37 crore and signify RR's commitment to eliminating costly mistakes that have led to disappointment.

The struggles of 2025 stemmed from a fundamental misunderstanding: potential alone does not secure championships; performance does. The reputations of Hetmyer, Jurel, and Deshpande became irrelevant when faced with the pressure of actual match situations. Sometimes, the hardest decisions are the most necessary.

RR's overhaul demands courage—the courage to recognize mistakes, minimize losses, and start anew. These potential releases are not just roster adjustments; they represent a clear statement of intent. The Royals must choose between costly familiarity and the hunger for improvement. Their aspirations for IPL 2026 hinge on making the right choices.