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Rajasthan Royals Kick Off IPL 2026 Prep with Jadeja's Return to Jaipur

The Rajasthan Royals have started their pre-season training camp in Jaipur for the upcoming IPL 2026 season. The squad has been reshaped by a major trade that sent long-time captain Sanju Samson to Chennai Super Kings. In return, the Royals have acquired all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja, who returns to the franchise he helped win the inaugural IPL in 2008, and England's Sam Curran. The Riyan Parag-led team will begin its campaign against Chennai Super Kings in Guwahati on March 30.

Key Points: Rajasthan Royals Start IPL 2026 Training Camp in Jaipur

  • Training camp begins in Jaipur
  • Ravindra Jadeja returns to Royals
  • Sanju Samson traded to CSK
  • Squad features Riyan Parag as captain
  • Opener vs CSK on March 30
2 min read

IPL 2026: Rajasthan Royals begin preparation in Jaipur

Rajasthan Royals begin IPL 2026 preparations in Jaipur. Key players like Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran join the squad after a major trade with CSK.

"The veteran all-rounder represented the franchise during the 2008 and 2009 seasons before moving to other teams."

Jaipur, March 19

Inaugural champions Rajasthan Royals have commenced their preparations for the upcoming Indian Premier League 2026 season with a training camp in Jaipur, as the franchise looks to fine-tune its combination ahead of the tournament.

Several key players, including India's ace all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, were seen practising with the team, while the coaching staff worked closely to monitor and ensure peak performance during the tournament.

With the schedule for the first phase of the IPL 2026 season announced, the Riyan Parag-led Royals are set to play their campaign opener against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Guwahati on March 30.

Then, the Rajasthan Royals are scheduled to play on April 4 against the Shubman Gill-led Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Their third fixture will be against five-time champions Mumbai Indians on April 7, followed by their match against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru on April 10.

Earlier, the Rajasthan-based franchise was involved in one of the biggest trade-offs in IPL history ahead of the 2026 season.

Wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson, who had been the face of Rajasthan Royals for more than a decade, representing the franchise across 11 seasons, was traded to the five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and will now don the yellow colours during the IPL 2026 edition.

In return, the inaugural champions, Roysls, got England all-rounder Sam Curran and veteran Ravindra Jadeja, who were traded from CSK.

Notably, Jadeja was part of the Rajasthan squad that lifted the inaugural IPL trophy in 2008 under the captaincy of the late Australian spinner Shane Warne.

The veteran all-rounder represented the franchise during the 2008 and 2009 seasons before moving to other teams in the years that followed.

Rajasthan Royals squad for IPL 2026:

Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Donovan Ferreira, Sandeep Sharma, Shubham Dubey, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Lhuan-Dre Pretorius, Shimron Hetmyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Jofra Archer, Tushar Deshpande, Kwena Maphaka, Nandre Burger, Ravi Bishnoi, Sushant Mishra, Yash Raj Punja, Vignesh Puthur, Ravi Singh, Aman Rao, Brijesh Sharma, Adam Milne, Kuldeep Sen.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
Exciting to see Jadeja back in pink! It's like coming home for him after 2008. The squad looks balanced on paper with Curran and Archer. But the real test will be Parag's captaincy. Big shoes to fill after Sanju. All the best RR! 💗
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Rohit P
Tough opening schedule. CSK, then GT at Ahmedabad, then MI and RCB. If they can get 3 wins from these 4, they'll be set for the season. Banking on Jaiswal and Jurel to have a big year. #HallaBol
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Aman W
While the trade makes cricketing sense, I respectfully disagree with the management's decision. Sanju wasn't just a player; he was a symbol of loyalty in this era of auctions. Franchises need to value that more. Feeling quite sentimental as a long-time fan.
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Sarah B
Interesting to see the mix of youth and experience. Parag leading a side with Jadeja and Curran is a bold move. Hope they use Jaipur's home advantage well later in the season. The IPL just keeps getting more unpredictable!
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Karthik V
The bowling looks strong with Archer, Bishnoi, and the pace attack. But who is the designated finisher? Hetmyer is inconsistent. They might miss a power hitter in the death overs. Should have kept an Indian keeper-batsman.

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