Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) head into the IPL 2026 mini auction with a familiar challenge: fine-tuning a star-studded core while addressing key gaps that have held them back in recent seasons. With a relatively modest purse and a limited number of slots, RCB’s strategy is expected to focus on precision buys rather than marquee splurges.
RCB’s Retained Core Ahead of IPL 2026
RCB have once again backed a strong leadership and batting core going into the auction cycle. Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Yash Dayal, Phil Salt, Jitesh Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Salam Dar, Suyash Sharma, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Swapnil Singh, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Nuwan Thushara, Jacob Bethell, Devdutt Padikkal, Abhinandan Singh.
Slots Available and Purse Remaining
RCB enter the IPL 2026 mini auction with:
Remaining slots: 8
Purse remaining: approximately Rs 16.4 crore
The numbers suggest a tight auction budget, meaning RCB are unlikely to chase high-priced stars unless they find value picks early. Instead, the focus will be on role-specific signings, especially Indian players who can deliver consistently.
Key Areas RCB Will Look to Address
Despite having a formidable top order, RCB still have a few clear concerns:
- Death bowling: A recurring issue over multiple seasons, especially in high-pressure games
- Indian fast-bowling depth: Backup options have been inconsistent
These gaps will define RCB’s auction approach.
Possible Auction Targets for RCB
Given the purse constraints, RCB are expected to hunt for smart, undervalued options rather than headline names.
Indian pacers: RCB may target domestic fast bowlers who can bowl at the death and exploit bounce at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Backup wicketkeeper-finisher: RCB may look for an Indian wicketkeeper who can bat aggressively down the order.
RCB win the bidding war with KKR for Venkatesh Iyer, as he reunites with his Madhya Pradesh teammate Rajat Patidar for Rs 7 Crore
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