The Rajasthan Royals have a special place in the annals of IPL history as the first-ever winner of the tournament. But that was in 2008, and it feels like a lifetime ago now. Although they’ve been so close in recent seasons, right there at the finish line, that second title has just slipped through their fingers every time.

3 Recommended RR Target Players in IPL 2026

Now, as we look ahead to the IPL 2026 season, the whole conversation changes. The big question isn’t just about who the team will pick up, but who will be the key RR target players in IPL 2026 who can finally be the game-changers. The talk around potential RR trade targets is getting intense, and it’s all about finding that one or two special players who can finally lead the Pink City to its long-awaited second crown.

Matthew Short

Role: Top-order Batsman (Australia)
Current Team: Unsold (IPL 2025)

With Sanju Samson being an Indian player, you’d think the Royals would want another Indian to back him up. But here’s a thought: they’ve already got a promising young Indian opener in Vaibhav Suryavanshi, which might free them up to go for an overseas star instead. And if they do, Matthew Short has got to be high on that list of RR trade targets.

Matt Short and short boundaries is a match made in heaven.

Check out the best of his partnership with Mitch Marsh – https://t.co/j1TXqCRGWK pic.twitter.com/Tsf70AiC8H

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) September 1, 2023

The man, who has been a consistent member of the Australian team, is a very strong hitter who simply slams the ball. He participated in a few IPL matches in 2023, but he has since grown up a lot. With nearly 3,000 runs and an incredible strike rate, he has an incredible T20 record. He’s even got two hundreds and 18 fifties to his name and just came off a great BBL season with another century. He could be exactly what they need at the top of the order.

Steve Smith

Role: Top-order batsman (Australia)
Current Team: Unsold (IPL 2025)

Steve Smith is just a cricketing genius. He’s this total anomaly – you see him at the crease all fidgety and twitchy, and you think, “What is he even doing?” But then he just finds a way to score runs, no matter what. He’s not graceful, but his hand-eye coordination is insane, and his ability to find gaps and just build an innings is a total nightmare for bowlers.

The great Steve Smith has called time on a superb ODI career 👏 pic.twitter.com/jsKDmVSG1h

— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) March 5, 2025

Why would he be one of the RR target players in IPL 2026? Well, with reports confirming Sanju Samson’s departure, there’s a huge hole in that top order. While they have some explosive players, they really need someone to be the anchor. Steve Smith fits that role perfectly. He might be the steady, seasoned presence that keeps the innings tight while allowing the big hitters to go crazy around him. In addition to providing batting stability, his presence would give the team a seasoned leader in the locker room. Not to mention that he was the Royals’ captain once, so he is familiar with the team’s culture and would blend right in.

Glenn Phillips

Role: Allrounder (New Zealand)
Current Team: Gujarat Titans

Talk about a Swiss Army knife! In the realm of Twenty20 cricket, Glenn Phillips is just that. He is a New Zealand native who is a dangerous power-hitter with a remarkable strike rate, particularly in the final few overs. His importance stems from his ability to accomplish a little bit of everything. He can bat anywhere in the lineup, from the top to the lower middle, and he has outstanding wicketkeeping skills. As if that weren’t enough, he is a dynamic fielder who bowls some helpful off-spin and makes incredible catches. He is a whole package and appears to have been made just for this format.

ICYMI | Another 1,000 ODI run milestone, this time by Glenn Phillips, who reaches the feat in just 33 innings. He is the joint-10th fastest New Zealand men’s player to reach 1,000 ODI runs 🏏 #ChampionsTrophy #CricketNation #StatChat 📸 = ICC/Getty pic.twitter.com/iUCQQ2s7c6

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 24, 2025

So, what makes him one of the potential RR trade targets? It’s all about finding that game-changer with both the bat and the gloves. While they’ve got a great wicketkeeper in Dhruv Jurel, bringing in Glenn Phillips gives them a super versatile player who can fill multiple roles.

Ricky Ponting was in awe of Glenn Phillips’ stunning fielding heroics at the #ChampionsTrophy 🤩

More 👉 https://t.co/tlt14gk0GA pic.twitter.com/AbNSVprPMG

— ICC (@ICC) March 13, 2025

RR has needed a consistent finisher with the bat for a while, and Phillips’ power-hitting can easily turn a decent score into a winning one. Plus, his incredible fielding is a huge bonus – he’ll save a ton of crucial runs in the outfield. The combination of his skills just might be the missing piece of the puzzle that finally gets them the trophy.

Conclusion

The Rajasthan team management seems to have its job cut out for it, and it’s a big one, as the future of the team depends on it. The RR target players in IPL 2026 would play a big role in shaping their campaign in the next season. Rajasthan has gone without a championship title for too long now, and any further delays might cost them the faith of their loyal fans.