Irfan Pathan, the former India all-rounder, recently revealed his playing XI for Rajasthan Royals (RR) after the IPL 2026 auction. Pathan slotted England all-rounder Sam Curran at No. 5 in his lineup, emphasizing the importance of the all-rounder’s versatility in both batting and bowling.
According to Pathan, the opening pair for RR should consist of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, with Dhruv Jurel at No. 3 and Riyan Parag following at No. 4. The addition of Sam Curran at No. 5 brings depth to the batting order and adds a dynamic element to the team’s overall balance.
Pathan also highlighted the acquisition of Ravi Bishnoi for ₹7.2 crore as a significant move for RR. He praised the spinner’s familiarity with the conditions and predicted a strong performance from him in the upcoming season. Pathan believes that Bishnoi’s bowling style, suited for low-bounce pitches, will lead to more LBW and bowled dismissals for the team.
In addition to Curran and Bishnoi, Pathan included West Indies all-rounder Shimron Hetmyer, Ravindra Jadeja, and South Africa’s Donovan Ferreira in the middle order. The pace attack was led by Jofra Archer and Tushar Deshpande, with Sandeep Sharma designated as the Impact Player.
Overall, Pathan’s playing XI for RR in IPL 2026 is as follows: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Sam Curran, Shimron Hetmyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Donovan Ferreira, Jofra Archer, Tushar Deshpande, and Ravi Bishnoi. Sandeep Sharma was chosen as the Impact Player for the team.
Pathan’s analysis and insights provide a valuable perspective on RR’s team composition and strategy for the upcoming season. With a mix of experienced players and promising talents, RR looks poised to make a strong impact in IPL 2026 under the guidance of their new acquisitions.
