Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have finalized their list of retained and released players in preparation for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction, scheduled for December 16 in Abu Dhabi. The team submitted its final squad to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) by the November 15 deadline, alongside all other IPL franchises.
Released Players
RCB has decided not to continue with the following players:
Swastik Chikara, Mayank Agarwal, Liam Livingstone, Manoj Bhandage, Lungi Ngidi, Blessing Muzarabani, Mohit Rathee.
These players will now enter the auction pool and have the opportunity to join other franchises for the upcoming season.
Retained Players
The team has retained a strong core of players to maintain continuity and build on last season’s success. The retained squad includes:
Rajat Patidar (c), Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Phil Salt, Jitesh Sharma, Krunal Pandya, Swapnil Singh, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Jacob Bethell, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Nuwan Thushara, Rasikh Salam, Abhinandan Singh, Suyash Sharma.
Team Composition and Remaining Auction Purse
- Remaining Purse: ₹16.40 crore
- Slots Left: 8 (including 2 overseas)
This gives the franchise flexibility to strengthen the squad further in the auction while retaining its winning combination.
Head Coach Andy Flower’s Perspective
Head coach Andy Flower expressed satisfaction with the team’s retained core. He said, “We have been able to retain a really strong squad with a great recent history of playing winning cricket and delivering outstanding performances. It is always difficult to release players, as I am sure they enjoyed the experience as much as we did last year. Our focus now will be on strengthening the squad, but we are comfortable with the solid base and core we have retained.”
Flower also highlighted the importance of upcoming domestic tournaments, noting, “There is a lot of cricket between now and the auction itself, including the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), which will nearly conclude by the time the auction happens. Observing players closely during these tournaments will help us make informed decisions for the next IPL season.”
Looking Ahead
With a balanced mix of experienced stars and young talent, RCB aims to enter IPL 2026 with a strong and cohesive squad. The team’s strategic retention decisions reflect its ambition to build on last season’s success while maintaining flexibility for future acquisitions.
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