Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally ended their long wait for an IPL trophy by winning their maiden title in IPL 2025. RCB will now focus on fine-tuning their squad for IPL 2026. Ahead of mini-auction, the franchise may release a few players but retain its core group and aim to build an even stronger team for back-to-back titles.
Which players will be released by RCB ahead of IPL 2026?
Despite their success, RCB might release a few players to balance the squad and manage the budget ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. Here are the players who are likely to be released:
- Liam Livingstone
Livingstone was signed for INR 8.75 crore but failed to make an impact. He scored only 112 runs with an average of 16 and took just 2 wickets. RCB may release him and look for better options. - Rasikh Dar
Bought for INR 6.5 crore as the most expensive uncapped player, Rasikh Dar played only 2 matches, taking 1 wicket while conceding runs at an economy of 11.67. He may be released to free up funds. - Blessing Muzarabani (Temporary Signing)
Signed as a replacement mid-season, IPL rules prevent RCB from retaining him for the next season. - Mayank Agarwal (Temporary Signing)
Mayank was another mid-season replacement who, as per IPL rules, cannot be retained for 2026. - Tim Seifert (Temporary Signing)
Seifert was also signed temporarily and will automatically go back into the auction pool.
Which players will be retained by RCB ahead of IPL 2026?
Philip 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, Nuwan Thushara
Key players from IPL 2025 campaign to build team for the future
- Virat Kohli
Kohli had one of his best seasons, scoring over 650 runs and leading the batting lineup with consistency and experience. - Rajat Patidar
As captain, Patidar guided RCB to their first IPL title and played crucial innings throughout the season. - . Josh Hazlewood
Hazlewood led the bowling attack, taking 22 wickets and providing breakthroughs in key moments. - Phil Salt
Salt gave the team explosive starts at the top of the order and played match-winning knocks under pressure. - Yash Dayal
Dayal showed great control and picked up key wickets in the middle and death over’s, adding depth to RCB’s pace attack.
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RCB 2026 Playing XI
Here’s how RCB’s playing XI may look for IPL 2026:
- Phil Salt
- Virat Kohli
- Rajat Patidar (C)
- Jitesh Sharma (WK)
- Krunal Pandya
- Tim David
- Romario Shepherd
- Suyash Sharma
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Josh Hazlewood
- Yash Dayal
Under the leadership of Rajat Patidar and guidance of head coach Andy Flower, RCB showed great balance, teamwork, and consistency throughout the season. Hope, they build on it and display similar performances next year.
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