Last updated: 14 April 2026
Rajasthan Royals IPL 2026 Betting Guide
Season opens 30 Mar · Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati (early phase) · Captain: Riyan Parag · Coach: Kumar Sangakkara
High variance Sam Curran out all season Exciting opening batting partnership
IPL titles
1
Inaugural champions, 2008
2025 finish
9th
4W from 14, no playoffs
Key acquisition
Jadeja
Traded from CSK for Samson
Season debut
Suryavanshi
Fastest IPL century by an Indian
Predicted XI IPL 2026 (Curran absent all season)
| # | Player | Role | Nat. | Batting strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yashasvi Jaiswal | Batter | IND | |
| 2 | Vaibhav Suryavanshi | Batter | IND | |
| 3 | Riyan Parag (c) | All-rounder | IND | |
| 4 | Shimron Hetmyer | Batter | WI | |
| 5 | Dhruv Jurel | WK-Bat | IND | |
| 6 | Ravindra Jadeja | All-rounder | IND | |
| 7 | Donovan Ferreira | All-rounder | SA | |
| 8 | Ravi Bishnoi | Bowler | IND | |
| 9 | Jofra Archer | Bowler | ENG | |
| 10 | Sandeep Sharma | Bowler | IND | |
| 11 | Nandre Burger | Bowler | SA |
Key squad changes for 2026
| Player | Status | Role | Betting relevance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ravindra Jadeja | Traded from CSK | All-rounder | RR’s most significant acquisition. Adds elite left-arm spin, lower-order hitting, and experienced on-field leadership to a squad that lacked all three. His partnership with Bishnoi in the middle overs is a genuine tactical edge. |
| Ravi Bishnoi | Auction 7cr | Leg-spin bowler | Signed to replace Hasaranga and Theekshana. His googlies and wrist-spin variations are most dangerous on dry, slow surfaces. Used as an Impact Player gives RR a tactical substitute option on specific pitches. |
| Sanju Samson | Traded to CSK | WK-Bat / Captain | The face of RR for years and their most consistent IPL batter is gone. Jaiswal and Suryavanshi must compensate for his absence at the top. Riyan Parag steps up in leadership but is unproven as a long-term T20 captain. |
| Sam Curran | Out injured | All-rounder | Ruled out for the entire season with a groin injury just weeks before the opener. Was supposed to be RR’s second major all-round acquisition alongside Jadeja. Ferreira fills the slot but is not a like-for-like replacement. |
| Donovan Ferreira | Traded from DC | All-rounder | Steps into Curran’s role by default. South African all-rounder with lower-order hitting and medium-pace. Has yet to establish himself as a consistent IPL performer at the highest level. |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | Released | Spin all-rounder | Released alongside Maheesh Theekshana. The loss of both experienced overseas spinners means RR’s spin depth now depends entirely on Bishnoi and Jadeja. |
Phase 1 fixtures IPL 2026 (season not yet started)
| Date | Opponent | Venue | H/A | Betting note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 30 | Chennai Super Kings | Guwahati | Home | The mouth-watering sub-plot: Jadeja and Curran (ruled out) vs former side; Samson faces RR for the first time as a CSK player. Barsapara favours batting. Curran’s absence removes a key bowling option. Intriguing match with value in runs markets. |
| Apr 4 | Gujarat Titans | Ahmedabad | Away | RR’s only away game in Phase 1. Ahmedabad’s hard, bouncy surface suits GT’s pace attack. GT are strong at the Narendra Modi Stadium. RR are underdogs here. If Archer is playing and fit, their bowling becomes competitive. |
| Apr 7 | Mumbai Indians | Guwahati | Home | Home game vs the competition’s most powerful side. MI are strong on paper. If RR’s top order fires in the powerplay, the batting pitch at Barsapara gives them a genuine chance. High-scoring match likely regardless of outcome. |
| Apr 10 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Guwahati | Home | Home fixture vs defending champions. If RR are building momentum and Jaiswal is in form, this is a winnable match. Bishnoi as Impact Player against RCB’s middle order on a dry surface is RR’s most specific bowling opportunity in Phase 1. |
Team department ratings heading into IPL 2026
| Department | Rating | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Top-order batting | Jaiswal and Suryavanshi are among the most exciting opening combinations in IPL history. Jaiswal brings elite consistency; Suryavanshi holds the record for the fastest IPL century by an Indian. When both fire, RR are capable of posting 200-plus from the top order alone. | |
| Middle-order depth | The biggest concern after Curran’s injury. Hetmyer and Jadeja are proven, but Parag and Ferreira are inconsistent at T20 level. There is no experienced anchor between Jaiswal’s aggression at the top and Jadeja’s composure at six. When the top order fails, the middle crumbles. | |
| Pace bowling (Archer fit) | When Archer is playing, RR have one of the most dangerous pace attacks in the competition. His raw pace, bounce, and yorker execution are elite. Burger and Sandeep Sharma provide quality backup. The attack is genuinely formidable when Archer is fit. | |
| Pace bowling (Archer absent) | Without Archer, Burger and Sandeep are solid but not match-winners. Curran’s absence compounds this. RR’s pace attack without Archer relies heavily on domestic bowlers who have not proven themselves as consistent wicket-takers at IPL level. | |
| Spin bowling | Jadeja and Bishnoi is an excellent spin pairing, particularly on the dry surfaces of Guwahati and Jaipur. Jadeja’s T20 experience and Bishnoi’s wrist-spin variations make this unit capable of winning matches on its own in suitable conditions. | |
| Captaincy and cohesion | Riyan Parag is RR’s captain for the first time in a full season. He led RR in 8 matches in 2025 (winning 2, losing 6) as stand-in. He is passionate and motivated but lacks the captaincy track record of Shreyas Iyer or Axar Patel. Sangakkara’s coaching is a major support mechanism. | |
| Squad cohesion | RR enter 2026 with a dramatically reshaped roster. Samson gone, Jadeja and Curran in. Then Curran ruled out pre-season. Ferreira and Bishnoi are new arrivals. Parag is a new captain. This is a squad with multiple unknowns across leadership, middle order, and bowling combination. |
Bull case for RR in 2026
Jaiswal and Suryavanshi is the most exciting opening combination in the tournament and capable of winning any game in the powerplay. Archer, when fit, is a match-winner of the highest order. Jadeja adds experience, spin depth, and lower-order hitting that RR have not had since their 2022 runners-up campaign. Sangakkara is one of the best cricket minds in the game. Barsapara provides three early home games on a batting surface that suits their top order perfectly. If the pieces come together, RR have the X-factors to go deep.
Core risk factors
Curran’s season-ending injury removes the only genuine pace all-rounder in the squad and creates a structural hole in both batting depth and bowling variety. Parag is an unproven captain at this level. The middle order between the top order and Jadeja has no settled anchor. RR finished 9th in 2025 and are rebuilding around significant unknowns. Archer’s injury history is well documented every selection must be verified before placing bowling prop bets on RR.
Sam Curran out for the entire season
Sam Curran has been confirmed out of IPL 2026 entirely due to a groin injury. He was traded to RR alongside Jadeja as part of the Samson deal and was expected to be the left-arm swing option in the powerplay and a lower-middle-order finisher. His absence removes a genuine all-round match-winner and significantly weakens RR’s bowling versatility. Donovan Ferreira takes his spot but brings a materially different profile. Any market that priced RR based on a Jadeja-Curran all-round axis needs to be completely reassessed. This is a squad that is weaker than its pre-season headlines suggest.
Historical record context for IPL 2026 pre-season assessment
| Season | Finish | W-L | Win % | Key betting insight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Champions | 11-3 | 79% | Only title. Written off as no-hopers. Enormous underdog value. The original dark horse. |
| 2022 | Runners-up | 9-5 | 64% | Samson era peak. Strong backing value throughout. Lost final to GT. |
| 2024 | 5th (eliminated Qual. 2) | 8-6 | 57% | Consistent mid-table. Playoff exit to SRH. Market often overpriced RR on Samson/Jaiswal star power. |
| 2025 | 9th (no playoffs) | 4-10 | 29% | Significant regression after losing Parag’s early stand-in campaign. Multiple close losses by 1-11 runs. Injuries and inconsistency. Very faddable in second half of season once the rot set in. |
Core betting angles for IPL 2026
Back Jaiswal runs markets throughout
Yashasvi Jaiswal is the single most reliable betting prop in RR’s squad and one of the most consistent T20 openers in world cricket. He combines a high floor with an exceptional ceiling. Top RR batter, 50-plus, and most runs in match markets are strong throughout the season regardless of conditions.
✔ Back: Jaiswal top RR batter, 50-plus runs, most runs in match
Jadeja and Bishnoi on dry pitches
The Jaipur and Guwahati surfaces both offer turn as the season progresses. Jadeja and Bishnoi operating in tandem on a dry surface is one of the most dangerous spin partnerships in the competition. Bowling prop markets for both on these venues are strong. Bishnoi’s hat-trick potential via his googly makes his 2-plus wickets market consistent value.
✔ Back: Jadeja and Bishnoi bowling props on turn-friendly pitches
Archer returns as a line-mover
Archer’s fitness history is an ongoing concern. When he is confirmed in the XI, RR’s bowling becomes significantly more dangerous and their match-winner odds tighten. Monitor team news carefully. The games immediately after a confirmed fit Archer announcement carry pricing inefficiencies that are worth exploiting.
✔ Watch: RR match-winner markets when Archer is confirmed fit and playing
Fade RR on account of Curran hype
Pre-season coverage described RR’s squad based on a Jadeja-Curran all-round axis. Curran is gone for the entire season. Any market pricing RR as though that squad exists is overvalued. Fade RR at short odds in any fixture where the market has priced them based on Curran’s presence, particularly pace-bowling markets.
✗ Fade: RR match winner where market has priced Curran’s all-round contribution
Back RR at home (Guwahati and Jaipur)
Both of RR’s home venues suit their strengths. Barsapara (Guwahati) is batting-friendly and benefits their explosive top order. The Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur offers turn as the season goes on, activating Jadeja and Bishnoi. Home games are where RR’s squad is best matched to conditions.
✔ Back: RR match winner at home, particularly when Jaiswal is in form
In-play: fade if top order collapses early
RR’s middle order without Curran has no reliable anchor. If Jaiswal, Suryavanshi, and Parag all depart in the first eight overs, RR’s innings tends to stall. Hetmyer is brilliant but combustible. The in-play lay after three early wickets is one of the clearest signals in this squad.
✗ In-play lay: RR batting after losing 3 wickets inside 8 overs
Scenario risk matrix
| Scenario | RR outlook | Bettor edge | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jaiswal and Suryavanshi both fire | Strong | Positive | Back RR; batting carries the team when top order delivers |
| Archer fit, spin-friendly pitch | Strong | Positive | Back RR; bowling at its most complete |
| Archer absent, pace-friendly surface | Weak | Negative | Fade RR; bowling cannot compensate for pace loss |
| Top 3 (Jaiswal, Suryavanshi, Parag) fail | Low | Negative | In-play lay; middle order without Curran has no anchor |
| Dry Jaipur/Guwahati pitch, both spinners playing | Good | Positive | Back Jadeja and Bishnoi bowling props; conditions ideal |
| RR as significant underdogs vs strong opposition | Mixed | Neutral | Assess whether Archer is playing; his presence swings the value |
Players to back
Yashasvi Jaiswal
Opening batter · Left-hand
The most reliable batting prop in RR’s squad and one of the most consistent T20 openers in world cricket. Combines a Test match temperament with extraordinary T20 aggression. His floor is high and his ceiling is enormous. Top RR batter and 50-plus markets are sound throughout the entire season. Sangakkara’s coaching environment is well suited to maximising his development further in 2026.
✔ Back: top RR batter, 50-plus runs, most runs in match across all conditions
Ravindra Jadeja
All-rounder · Left-arm spin
Returns to RR, the club where his IPL career began. Brings elite slow left-arm bowling, brilliant fielding, and lower-order batting that can turn games. His dual-value in all-rounder prop markets is exceptional: back him for both wickets and runs. On spin-friendly surfaces at Jaipur and Guwahati, his bowling props are among the best-value individual bets across the entire tournament.
✔ Back: Jadeja all-rounder markets, bowling props on turning pitches
Jofra Archer
Fast bowler · Pace spearhead
When fit and firing, Archer is the most dangerous bowler in the competition. His raw pace, accuracy at the death, and ability to take wickets on any surface make him a unique match-winner. The critical caveat: his fitness must be confirmed before every match. Once confirmed, his wicket prop markets are strong he regularly takes 2-plus wickets when fully available.
✔ Back (when confirmed fit): top RR bowler, 2-plus wickets in match
Vaibhav Suryavanshi
Opening batter · Right-hand
Holds the record for the fastest IPL century by an Indian. Scored 252 runs in just 7 matches in 2025 including that record-breaking knock. At 14 (now 15), his ceiling is extraordinary. He is a high-variance pick capable of scoring 80 in the powerplay or falling for a first-ball duck but his ceiling-based markets (top RR batter, 50-plus) carry exceptional upside when he connects.
✔ Back: Suryavanshi top RR batter and 50-plus on batting-friendly pitches
Ravi Bishnoi
Leg-spin bowler · Middle overs
Signed for 7cr as RR’s lead spin recruit after releasing Hasaranga. His googlies and wrist-spin variations are most dangerous on dry surfaces. When used as an Impact Player, his entire bowling allocation is deployed in the most favourable conditions. The 2-plus wickets prop is consistently backed whenever Bishnoi is deployed as a specialist on turning pitches at Jaipur or Guwahati.
✔ Back: Bishnoi 2-plus wickets on spin-friendly surfaces
Players to approach with caution
Riyan Parag
Captain · All-rounder · No.3/4
Parag is RR’s captain for the first time in a full season. He led the side in 8 matches in 2025 as stand-in (2 wins, 6 losses) and has been inconsistent with both bat and ball across his IPL career. As a batting prop he is unreliable anytime runs markets at low prices are poor value. His contribution is most visible in close finishes, not in consistent stat accumulation. He may grow into the role, but back him on results, not individual stats.
✗ Fade: Parag individual runs and wickets prop markets at short prices
Shimron Hetmyer
Middle-order batter · Finisher
Hetmyer is a devastatingly effective finisher when the match situation suits him and the field is up. However he is among the most volatile batters in IPL cricket. His entry point in RR’s order is unclear with Curran gone, and his availability has been a recurring concern over his IPL career. Target his ceiling-based props only in specific match situations rather than as a general season-long backing play.
⚠ Caution: high-variance avoid low-priced anytime runs markets
In-season update: 14 April 2026
Current form: 4W-1L, 8 pts (1st, NRR +0.889)
Rajasthan are top of the table and the story of the first phase. The big caveat in the pre-season guide was the middle-order depth without Curran, but Vaibhav Suryavanshi has made that almost irrelevant. He holds the Orange Cap with 200 runs at a strike rate of 266, hitting a 15-ball fifty against CSK and a 26-ball 78 against RCB including seven sixes. He also hit Bumrah for a first-ball six and took Hazlewood apart on his return. Jaiswal has 183 runs at the top alongside him. The Jaiswal-Suryavanshi pair became the fastest duo to 500 IPL runs (248 balls). RR’s only defeat came against SRH in match 21 when Praful Hinge took three wickets in the first over of the chase.
Key prop update: Suryavanshi is now the standout individual bet in the tournament
The pre-season prop guidance on Suryavanshi noted high variance. That has proved incorrect. He has been consistently extraordinary. Back him in top RR batter and 50-plus markets throughout the season. His consistency at SR 266 has removed the earlier high-variance caveat. Jaiswal’s 183 runs confirm the dual prop is working as expected.
