Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL
The retention deadline for the 2025 season of Indian Premier League (IPL) has ended. All 10 teams have kept their core set of players from last season. Now, teams are putting their strategies to paper in order to build strong squads at the auction table, combining their retained players with new signings for the upcoming edition.
The inaugural champions of the tournament, Rajasthan Royals (RR) retained six players before the IPL 2025 mega auction. They have the least amount of money compared to the other nine teams and do not have a Right to Match (RTM) card available as they enter the mega auction. This auction will be tough for them as they try to buy back key players like Yuzvendra Chahal. Meanwhile, many teams will be eyeing this leg-spin grandmaster, here in this article we have listed a few points why RR Chahal might not play for RR.
3 Reasons why Yuzvendra Chahal will not play for RR in IPL
Low purse left for RR in IPL 2025 mega auction
Rajasthan Royals have retained six key players in captain Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, and Sandeep Sharma. RR spent INR 79 Crore on these players, with Samson and Jaiswal being the highest paid, receiving INR 18 Crore each. This leaves RR with only INR 41 Crore for the IPL 2025 mega auction, the lowest budget among the 10 teams. With this limited budget, it will be challenging for RR to bring back Yuzvendra Chahal.
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No RTM card available
In addition to a low budget, Rajasthan Royals do not have a Right to Match (RTM) card. Without it, RR cannot match a rival team's bid for Chahal if he attracts high interest. This puts RR at a disadvantage in the auction, as they have no means to retain him if other teams outbid them.
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High demand for Yuzvendra Chahal in IPL 2025 mega auction
The 34-year-old leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has an impressive IPL record, with 205 wickets in 160 matches and an economy of 7.84. Since joining RR in 2022 for INR 6.5 Crore, he has made a significant impact, winning the Purple Cap with 27 wickets as RR reached their first IPL final since 2008.
Known for his game-changing spells in the middle overs, Chahal’s skill and experience will make him a highly sought-after player in the auction. However, with a low budget, RR might find it hard to compete with teams like Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who have more money and are likely to place high bids for this star bowler.
