Rajasthan Royals

Rajasthan Royals IPL Titles & Season‑wise Performance (2008–2026)

Season Captain League Finish Final Result Remarks
2008 Shane Warne 1st 🏆 Champions Won inaugural IPL (beat CSK)
2009 Shane Warne 6th No Playoffs Early rebuilding
2010 Shane Warne 7th No Playoffs Below expectations
2011 Shane Warne 6th No Playoffs Mid-table finish
2012 Shane Watson 7th No Playoffs Struggled season
2013 Shane Watson 3rd Playoffs Playoff qualifier
2014 Shane Watson 5th No Playoffs Missed top‑4
2015 Shane Watson 4th Playoffs Eliminator exit
2016 Steve Smith 8th No Playoffs Lowest finish
2017 Ajinkya Rahane 3rd Playoffs Strong season
2018 Ajinkya Rahane 4th Playoffs Eliminator exit
2019 Ajinkya Rahane 7th No Playoffs Below expectations
2020 Steve Smith 8th No Playoffs Rebuild phase
2021 Sanju Samson 7th No Playoffs Missed top‑4
2022 Sanju Samson 2nd Runner‑up Lost Final to GT
2023 Sanju Samson 5th No Playoffs Mid-table
2024 Sanju Samson 3rd Playoffs Semi‑final exit
2025 Sanju Samson 9th No Playoffs Rebuild season
2026 TBA Upcoming Season awaited

Rajasthan Royals: The Original IPL Champions

Rajasthan Royals (RR) have a special place in Indian Premier League history — champions of the very first IPL in 2008 under the legendary captain Shane Warne, and known for discovering local talent and punching above their weight.

RR’s early success was built on smart, fearless cricket, culminating in their dramatic title win in the inaugural season. Despite ups and downs in subsequent years, RR established themselves as competitive contenders and playoff challengers on many occasions, with seasoned leaders like Shane Watson, Ajinkya Rahane, and Sanju Samson steering the side over different eras.

The franchise has consistently aimed to blend youth and experience, backing emerging Indian talents alongside experienced international players. Their 2022 season stands out with a runner‑up finish, where they reached the final but narrowly lost to Gujarat Titans.

RR’s fan base — known for its resilience and passion — continues to cheer their team through highs and lows, making them one of the most followed IPL teams. As the league pushes into IPL 2026 and beyond, Rajasthan Royals remain focused on reclaiming their place among title contenders with a strong core and evolving strategy.