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From Vaibhav Sooryavanshi To Riyan Parag: Rajasthan Royals Player Ratings For IPL 2026

Vikram Singh · · 4 min read
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Reflecting on a Rollercoaster Season

The Rajasthan Royals’ memorable IPL 2026 campaign reached its conclusion on Friday night in Mullanpur. Despite a valiant effort, the side fell short against a determined Gujarat Titans team, led by a masterclass century from Shubhman Gill. While the exit at this stage might feel bittersweet, the journey itself was a testament to the character and grit of a team undergoing a significant transition.

Rajasthan Royals’ season was marked by a series of fluctuations. They delivered moments of pure brilliance that suggested they could go all the way, yet they found themselves in a precarious position, requiring a high-pressure win on the final day of the league stage against the Mumbai Indians just to book their spot in the playoffs. Under the leadership of Riyan Parag, the squad—which many had written off following the high-profile trade of their former captain to the Chennai Super Kings—proved that youth and energy can be potent ingredients for success.

In-Depth Player Ratings

To understand the dynamics of this squad, we must look at individual contributions. Here is the comprehensive breakdown of the Rajasthan Royals player ratings for IPL 2026:

  • Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (10/10): The undisputed star of the season. Sooryavanshi was the cornerstone of the batting lineup, delivering consistent performances that carried the team through difficult phases.
  • Jofra Archer (9/10): Back in his element, Archer provided the pace and intimidation factor that RR needed. His ability to pick up crucial wickets and maintain an economical rate made him the leader of the bowling attack.
  • Donovan Ferreira (9/10): A revelation in the middle order, Ferreira provided the explosive finishes that often decided the outcome of close encounters.
  • Dhruv Jurel (8/10): Jurel continued to show maturity beyond his years, serving as a reliable figure in the batting order.
  • Ravindra Jadeja (7.5/10): Providing stability with both bat and ball, Jadeja’s experience was vital in navigating the high-pressure situations the team faced throughout the season.
  • Brijesh Sharma (7.5/10): A surprise package who contributed effectively whenever called upon.
  • Yash Raj Punja (7/10): Showed flashes of brilliance and proved to be a reliable asset in the field and with the ball.
  • Riyan Parag (6/10): As captain, Parag’s leadership was tested. While his personal batting stats were moderate, his ability to manage a young unit and reach the top three is commendable.
  • Yashasvi Jaiswal (6/10): A decent season, though perhaps not at the soaring heights expected of his talent.
  • Nandre Burger (6/10): Provided steady support to the primary bowling unit.
  • Ravi Bishnoi (6/10): Kept things tight in the middle overs, though he would have liked more wickets to his name.
  • Sushant Mishra (5/10): Showed glimpses of potential but struggled with consistency.
  • Shubham Dubey (4/10): Faced challenges in finding his rhythm throughout the tournament.
  • Tushar Deshpande (4/10): Struggled to make a significant impact in the matches he played.
  • Shimron Hetmyer (3/10): A disappointing campaign for the power hitter, who failed to fire on a consistent basis.
  • Dasun Shanaka (3/10): Failed to replicate his international form in the IPL setup.
  • Adam Milne (1/10), Lhuan-dre Pretorius (1/10), and Ravi Singh (1/10): Minimal impact during their limited opportunities on the field.
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The Road Ahead

As Riyan Parag noted, this young team was never expected to reach this deep into the competition. Having lost their primary leadership figure in a trade and relying on a fresh, youthful core, the Rajasthan Royals have a solid foundation to build upon for the future. The management will undoubtedly look at these player ratings to identify the core group that will carry the franchise into the next cycle of the IPL. With Sooryavanshi emerging as a global talent and Archer returning to peak fitness, the Royals have reasons to be optimistic about their long-term prospects.

This season proved that chemistry and belief are just as important as individual accolades. While the trophy remains elusive this year, the progression of the players mentioned above signals that Rajasthan Royals will be a team to watch in the coming years of the league.

Vikram Singh

Vikram Singh is a senior cricket reporter for The Tribune, widely respected for his exhaustive coverage of India’s domestic cricket landscape and his sharp analysis of fast bowler development. A graduate of Panjab University, Chandigarh, he grew up watching the Punjab Ranji Trophy side and began his career documenting the cricketing rhythms of the northern circuit—from Mohali to Dharamsala. Vikram’s work is defined by an ability to weave hard data on player workloads and fitness into narratives that capture the human cost of the modern game. He has covered numerous Ranji Trophy seasons, multiple IPL campaigns, and international fixtures across all three formats. A recipient of the India Press Club Award and his newspaper’s top sports honour, Vikram is driven by a belief that the health of the national team depends on a thriving, well‑reported domestic ecosystem.