"They might actually break their bank" - Aakash Chopra's massive claim as he picks RR playing 11 ahead of IPL 2026 Auction

Former cricketer Aakash Chopra made a massive claim while picking the playing 11 for the Rajasthan Royals (RR) ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. He predicted that the Royals could go all out after a leg-spinner as they released both Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana.

Chopra reckoned that they would break the bank for either Ravi Bishnoi, Rahul Chahar, or Karn Sharma. Despite Ravindra Jadeja, who has been traded in, taking a pay cut, Chopra felt that there might be some elevation in his role as a batter. He also added that he would play Sam Curran, who they also traded in, when they play in Jaipur.

They have Sandeep Sharma, Tushar Deshpande, and Yudhvir Singh as their retained India pacers. Chopra stated that they required another backup Indian pacer in the squad.

"Jadeja has taken a pay cut so there may be some elevation in terms of his batting. Will he actually bat in place of Jurel, Parag or Hettie? Maybe yes, maybe not. It depends. Whenever they play at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium, I will drag Sam Curran in. He will have a big role there. They can look for another batter because both Sanju and Rana are not there. You need a spinner or a leg spinner. The team is looking good but. I think one of the three from Ravi Bishnoi, Rahul Chahar, or Karn Sharma will be in their interest and they might actually break their bank. They need to look for an Indian fast bowler backup," he said on Star Sports.

Coming to their playing 11, he picked Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal as the openers. He left the number three spot empty for an Indian batter. Chopra included Riyan Parag at number four, followed by Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hemyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Jofra Archer, Tushar Deshpande, and Sandeep Sharma. He also left the impact player slot empty.

---

RR need an Indian batter and a leg-spinner, feels Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra reckoned that the three players the Royals got into their squad via trade, that is Jadeja, Curran, and Donovan Ferreira, were all great picks. However, they traded out Nitish Rana and Sanju Samson, losing two experienced Indian batters.

Therefore, he pointed out the need for the Royals to bring in an experienced Indian batter. With Jadeja being the only spinner, he added that they would actively be on the hunt for a quality leg-spinner.

"Great picks. I won't say Ferreira is an automatic pick. it's a steal though. The walk away as a winner. But the question is going to be that two experienced Indian batters have gone. You need to fill those slots somehow. They have let of all their spinners so they are only dependent on Jadeja right now. They will be very active to somehow get one good leg spinner. It is already looking like a good team, though," he said.

The Royals have a remaining purse of ₹16.05 crore with nine slots left, which includes one overseas slot. They finished ninth last year and failed to make the playoffs. The Royals will hope for a better campaign in the 2026 season.