Representational image (ANI)
IPL 2026 RCB Retained and Released Players List: Royal Challengers Bengaluru have announced their squad for IPL 2026 as they prepare to defend their maiden IPL title with renewed confidence. After years of near-misses, RCB finally lifted the trophy last season, and the management believes the current squad has the balance and experience needed to repeat that success.
The franchise has retained its core group, led by captain Rajat Patidar, who was one of the standout performers last year. Senior star Virat Kohli remains the team’s biggest batting pillar, while Devdutt Padikkal, Phil Salt and Jitesh Sharma add stability and firepower to the top and middle order.
RCB have also kept Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd and Tim David.
In the bowling department, the team has shown faith in a mix of experience and young talent. Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Nuwan Thushara form a strong pace unit, supported by Rasikh Salam and Abhinandan Singh. Meanwhile, Suyash Sharma strengthens the spin attack. With these retentions, RCB believe they have a strong and settled bowling group.
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, and Suyash Sharma.
Swastik Chikara, Mayank Agarwal, Liam Livingstone, Manoj Bhandage, Lungi Ngidi, Mohit Rathee.
Ahead of the auction, RCB will enter with a purse of Rs 16.4 crore. The franchise released eight players, including Swastik Chikara, Mayank Agarwal, Tim Seifert, Liam Livingstone, Manoj Bhandage, Lungi Ngidi, Blessing Muzarabani and Mohit Rathee.
The RCB management has expressed confidence that the retained squad offers the right mix of experience, depth and hunger. With a stable core, impactful all-rounders and a balanced bowling attack, the team is aiming for another successful campaign in IPL 2026 as they look to defend their title.
Shivam Verma is a journalist with over three years of experience in digital newsrooms. He currently works at NewsX, having previously worked for Firstpost and DNA India. A postgraduate diploma holder in Integrated Journalism from the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai, Shivam focuses on international affairs, diplomacy, defence, and politics. Beyond the newsroom, he is passionate about football—both playing and watching—and enjoys travelling to explore new places and cuisines.
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