IPL 2026: Top 3 RR bowlers to watch out for

Rajasthan Royals (RR) head into the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) with a lot of focus on their batting, and rightfully so. The 2008 champions have one of the most dynamic opening pairs in the form of Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal, with the likes of Dhruv Jurel and Shimron Hetmyer to follow. But their bowling is equally exciting as they look to win their second title.

RR have got a stable bowling unit this season and have a bowler for every situation of the game. From new ball specialists to middle over masters and experts in the death, the Jaipur-based franchise have everything covered. 

Here are the top three bowlers to watch out for within the RR squad:

3. Sandeep Sharma – Right arm Medium

Sandeep Sharma is one of the most underrated bowlers in the history of the IPL, having close to 150 wickets in the tournament. He played 10 matches for RR last season and took nine wickets along the way.

Sandeep has taken 32 wickets in three seasons for RR, including a five-wicket haul in 2024 against the Mumbai Indians.  The 32-year-old will come into the tournament on the back of a fruitful time in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The right-arm medium pacer took 13 wickets from seven outings at an economy rate of just 7.29 for Chandigarh.

2. Ravindra Jadeja – Slow Left arm Orthodox

Ravindra Jadeja has returned to the franchise he made a name for himself in 2008. The 37-year-old will be expected to play a crucial role with the ball and serve as a mentor to young spinners in the squad like Ravi Bishnoi and Vignesh Puthur. 

Jadeja did not have a memorable time with the ball in his final season for CSK in 2025 but was still effective. He still took 10 wickets in the tournament from 14 games at an economy of over 8.50.

Jadeja’s line and length along with control would be the key for RR, particularly in the middle overs. The India spinner is well renowned for getting his overs done quickly and not allowing the batters to free themselves easily.

1. Jofra Archer – Right arm Fast

Jofra Archer’s recent games with England suggests that the pace bowler has become a tad bit expensive in T20 cricket. The Sussex star, however, remains one of the most feared new-ball bowlers in the shortest format of the game.

Returning to RR in 2025, Archer took 11 wickets from 12 matches at an economy of 9.47. He did take 11 wickets from eight matches at the recently-concluded T20 World Cup to finish as England’s second-highest wicket-taker after Adil Rashid.

Archer has been clouded with injuries in recent times. However, it seems that the England pacer is finally injury-free, making him a dangerous prospect in the IPL should be able to compete in all 14 games.