IPL 2026: R Ashwin picks his RR XI, includes only three overseas players

Ravichandran Ashwin has named his probable XI of his former side Rajasthan Royals (RR). The legendary spinner went ahead and picked just three overseas players in the team - Shimron Hetmyer, Donovon Ferreira and Jofra Archer.

RR have a strong Indian contingent which is shown in Ashwin’s probable team to take the field. From hard-hitting openers to middle order batters to quality bowlers, their Indian players have everything covered. 

The former player, however, wants the Jaipur-based franchise to not use Hetmyer as a finisher and instead bat him up the order, letting the likes of Ferreira and Ravindra Jadeja take finishing duties. 

"I hope Shimron Hetmyer bats in the top four, the way he batted in the World Cup, he should be in the top four. Give the finishing responsibilities to Donovan Ferreira and Ravindra Jadeja. I hope they go on to do that. RR have most bases covered. I think RR find themselves with so many options in the playing XI," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

The advantage of having three overseas players in the starting XI is that it will allow RR to bring in a foreign player as an Impact Sub. This can include the likes of Nandre Burger or Adam Milne as bowling options of someone like Lhuan-dre Pretorius as a batter if they have lost early wickets.

Ashwin also named his best batter and bowler from the RR squad whilst predicting them to have a good chance of securing a place in the playoffs.

"I'm going with Yashasvi Jaiswal as RR's best batter for the season. He will come into the season with some serious hunger, he was removed from the T20 squad. His hunger is something else, so I will pick him," he said.

"For the best bowler, I'll go with Ravi Bishnoi. Did not have a great season at LSG, I think he will show the world and all of us that it was a big miss putting him back in the auction. They are contenders for the top four, they can come anywhere at 4,5, or 6," Ashwin added.

R Ashwin’s Predicted Rajasthan Royals Playing XI: 

Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, Shubham Dubey, Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Ravi Bishnoi, Sandeep Sharma