Rajasthan Royals kicked off their preparations for the Indian Premier League 2026 season on a cheerful note, celebrating the birthday of South African youngster Lhuan-dre Pretorius inside the team camp. The light-hearted moment saw Yashasvi Jaiswal take centre stage, playfully smashing cake on Pretorius’ face, reflecting the strong camaraderie within the squad.
As the inaugural IPL champions, Rajasthan Royals are once again aiming to end their long title drought. The franchise has made some bold moves ahead of the new season, including the high-profile return of Ravindra Jadeja. Jadeja, who was part of RR’s historic 2008 title-winning squad, rejoins the team after a successful stint with Chennai Super Kings, adding valuable experience and balance.
The trade deal between the two franchises also saw Sanju Samson move to CSK, marking a significant shift as both teams look to rebuild and evolve their squads for the future.
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RR’s batting unit appears strong on paper, featuring a mix of youth and experience. Alongside Jaiswal, players like captain Riyan Parag and Dhruv Jurel will play key roles, while overseas stars Shimron Hetmyer and Sam Curran add firepower. However, Curran’s injury has led to Dasun Shanaka stepping in as his replacement.
Mandatory cake smash for the birthday boy 😂💗 pic.twitter.com/KBeSJXcnDo
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) March 27, 2026
Head coach Kumar Sangakkara remains optimistic about the squad’s balance and believes the team has the right combination to push for a playoff spot and beyond.
At the IPL 2026 mini auction, Rajasthan Royals further strengthened their squad by adding nine players, including a mix of batters and a strong bowling contingent. With fresh energy, experienced campaigners, and a clear vision, RR will be eager to make a serious push for their second IPL title this season.
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RR Squad: Riyan Parag, Ravindra Jadeja, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shimron Hetmyer, Shubham Dubey, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel, Donovan Ferreira, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Ravi Singh, Dasun Shanaka, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Jofra Archer, Ravi Bishnoi, Sandeep Sharma, Nandre Burger, Tushar Deshpande, Kwena Maphaka, Kuldeep Sen, Adam Milne, Sushant Mishra, Brijesh Sharma, Vignesh Puthur
