After winning the 2025 IPL trophy, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is gearing up for 2026. They might release a few players before the mini-auction but will retain most of their main guys to win again.
So, who will RCB release for 2026 IPL?
Even after winning, RCB will drop some players to make sure the team is balanced and they stick to their budget for the next auction.
Players who might be released are:
Liam Livingstone
Livingstone cost INR 8.75 crore but didn’t really deliver, scoring only 112 runs and taking just 2 wickets. RCB will look for someone better.
Rasikh Dar
Rasikh Dar, who was bought for INR 6.5 crore, played only a couple of games, took 1 wicket while his economy was high. Releasing him will free up some cash.
Blessing Muzarabani and Mayank Agarwal
They were signed as mid-season so IPL rules don’t allow RCB to retain them for the next season.
Tim Seifert
Seifert was also a mid-season signing and will be back in the auction.
Which players will RCB retain for IPL 2026?
Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarawal, Jitesh Sharma (c & wk), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Lungi Ngidi, Suyash Sharma, Rajat Patidar, Manoj Bhandage, Jacob Bethell, Swapnil Singh, Mohit Rathee, Swastik Chikara, Abhinandan Singh, Josh Hazlewood and Nuwan Thushara.
Here are the key players from the 2025 IPL season that RCB will build their team around:
Virat Kohli
Kohli was awesome, scored over 650 runs and led the batting lineup.
Rajat Patidar
Patidar captained RCB to their first title and had some important innings.
Josh Hazlewood
Hazlewood led the bowling attack with 22 wickets, often got breakthroughs when needed.
Phil Salt
Salt got the team off to fast starts and played some match-winning innings when the pressure was on.
Yash Dayal
Dayal bowled well and took important wickets, added to RCB’s pace attack.
RCB Playing XI for 2026:
Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar (C), Jitesh Sharma (WK), Krunal Pandya, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Suyash Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood and Yash Dayal.
Rajat Patidar as captain and Andy Flower as coach, RCB was balanced and consistent. Hope they continue next year.
