Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) entered the IPL 2026 season with a clear strategy to keep their winning core, make smart auction buys, and balance the squad instead of starting again.
After winning the IPL trophy in 2025, RCB focused more on fixing weak spots than running after big names. Here is a complete breakdown of the RCB 2026 squad, including auction purchases, retained players, released names, and the full RCB team 2026 players list with price.
RCB Retained Players 2026: Team List & Strategy
RCB showed strong faith in their championship group by retaining most of their core. From a sports perspective, the RCB retained players 2026 team list highlights continuity in leadership, batting depth, and bowling strength.
RCB Retained Players 2026
- Virat Kohli
- Rajat Patidar (Captain)
- Devdutt Padikkal
- Phil Salt
- Jitesh Sharma
- Tim David
- Krunal Pandya
- Romario Shepherd
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Yash Dayal
- Josh Hazlewood
- Suyash Sharma
- Rasikh Salam Dar
- Jacob Bethell
- Nuwan Thushara
- Swapnil Singh
- Abhinandan Singh
This RCB retained players 2026 list shows a balanced mix of experienced internationals and dependable Indian performers, ensuring stability going into the new season.
RCB Buys in Auction 2026: Full List with Price
RCB entered the auction with a small budget and chose smart, value-based players instead of chasing big-name bids. The RCB buys in auction 2026 strengthened all-round options, fast bowling and Performer indian players.
RCB Auction Buys 2026
| Player | Role | Price |
| Venkatesh Iyer | All-rounder | ₹7 crore |
| Mangesh Yadav | Bowler | ₹5.2 crore |
| Jacob Duffy | Fast bowler | ₹2 crore |
| Jordan Cox | Batter | ₹75 lakh |
| Satvik Deswal | Bowler | ₹30 lakh |
| Kanishk Chouhan | All-rounder | ₹30 lakh |
| Vihaan Malhotra | Bowler | ₹30 lakh |
| Vicky Ostwal | Bowler | ₹30 lakh |
Among all RCB buys in auction 2026, Venkatesh Iyer stands out as the most significant addition, bringing left-hand batting firepower and seam-bowling options.
RCB Released Players 2026: Who Missed Out
Ahead of the auction, RCB made some tough calls by letting go of a few high-profile and fringe players to manage their purse.
RCB Released Players 2026
- Liam Livingstone
- Lungi Ngidi
- Mayank Agarwal
- Swastik Chikara
- Manoj Bhandage
- Mohit Rathee
The RCB released players 2026 list reflects a strategic shift toward consistency and role clarity rather than raw reputation.
Swastik Chikara IPL 2026: Team Status Explained
One of the commonly searched names this season is Swastik Chikara IPL 2026, especially after his release.
- Swastik Chikara IPL Team: Not part of RCB’s retained squad
- Swastik Chikara 2026 IPL Team: Not picked by any franchise in the auction
Despite interest around Swastik Chikara IPL 2026, the young player remained unsold and is currently not part of any IPL team for the season. His absence highlights the fierce competition and limited squad slots across franchises.
RCB Squad 2026: Full Players List
Complete RCB 2026 Squad
- Virat Kohli
- Rajat Patidar
- Devdutt Padikkal
- Phil Salt
- Tim David
- Jitesh Sharma
- Krunal Pandya
- Romario Shepherd
- Venkatesh Iyer
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Josh Hazlewood
- Yash Dayal
- Suyash Sharma
- Rasikh Salam Dar
- Jacob Bethell
- Nuwan Thushara
- Jacob Duffy
- Mangesh Yadav
- Jordan Cox
- Swapnil Singh
- Abhinandan Singh
- Satvik Deswal
- Kanishk Chouhan
- Vihaan Malhotra
- Vicky Ostwal
This finalized RCB squad 2026 offers flexibility across conditions, with multiple pace options, finishers, and spin support.
Final Takeaway
RCB’s IPL 2026 strategy revolves around continuity, depth, and smart spending. With a settled core, selective auction buys, and minimal experimentation, the RCB 2026 squad looks well-prepared to defend their title.
The combination of proven leaders, explosive all-rounders, and young domestic talent makes this one of the most balanced RCB teams in recent years.
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