RCB Squad IPL 2026: Complete Royal Challengers Bengaluru Team and Full Players List

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the reigning IPL 2025 champions, strategically augmented their team for the 2026 season, making targeted acquisitions to defend their title. Rather than a complete overhaul, RCB focused on strengthening specific areas, securing Venkatesh Iyer for Rs 7 crore. The bowling attack was also improved with the additions of Jacob Duffy and Mangesh Yadav.

Fresh off their historic IPL 2025 victory against Punjab Kings, RCB entered the 2026 auction with a relatively modest Rs 16.40 crore and eight open slots, including two for overseas players. The team's strategy centered on adding depth to an already strong squad. RCB has retained key players, including Virat Kohli, who will anchor the batting lineup alongside Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, and Tim David. Jitesh Sharma provides additional flexibility as a wicketkeeper-batter in the middle order, while Krunal Pandya and Romario Shepherd offer all-round capabilities.

The bowling attack features a mix of experience and youthful talent, led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, and Nuwan Thushara.

While RCB’s approach was measured, other teams made significant moves during the auction. Kolkata Knight Riders acquired Australian all-rounder Cameron Green for a staggering Rs 25.20 crore, making him the third-most expensive player in IPL history. Chennai Super Kings invested heavily in uncapped Indian players, with Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma becoming the costliest uncapped players ever. KKR also secured Matheesha Pathirana for Rs 18 crore, the highest amount ever paid for a Sri Lankan player in the IPL auction. In total, the 10 franchises spent Rs 215.45 crore to fill the 77 available slots.

RCB's key acquisitions included Venkatesh Iyer for Rs 7 crore, New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy for Rs 2 crore, and uncapped left-arm fast bowler Mangesh Yadav for Rs 5.20 crore. The team also added young Indian players Satvik Deswal, Kanishk Chouhan, Vihaan Malhotra, and Vicky Ostwal at their base prices, and England batter Jordan Cox for Rs 75 lakh. With a strong core and strategic additions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru aims to defend its title in IPL 2026.

**Royal Challengers Bengaluru Full Squad IPL 2026**

• Retained players:** Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Jitesh Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma, Abhinandan Singh, Jacob Bethell, Nuwan Thushara, Rasikh Dar, Swapnil Singh
• Players bought at auction:** Venkatesh Iyer (Rs 7 crore), Jacob Duffy (Rs 2 crore), Mangesh Yadav (Rs 5.20 crore), Satvik Deswal (Rs 30 lakh), Kanishk Chouhan (Rs 30 lakh), Vihaan Malhotra (Rs 30 lakh), Vicky Ostwal (Rs 30 lakh), Jordan Cox (Rs 75 lakh)
• Full squad:** 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, Venkatesh Iyer, Jacob Duffy, Satvik Deswal, Mangesh Yadav, Jordan Cox, Vicky Ostwal, Vihaan Malhotra, Kanishk Chouhan.