New Delhi – Royal Challengers Bengaluru have locked in their core lineup for the 2026 Indian Premier League, keeping 17 players and letting go of eight. The defending champions are set to take on their opponents in the next auction with a stable roster.
Leadership stays the same
Rajat Patidar will keep his role as captain, guiding the team after taking them to their first title in 18 seasons. Virat Kohli, the former franchise star, will play for a record‑setting 19th year.
Key players stay on
The club has retained its match‑winners, including Phil Salt, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd and Australian bowler Josh Hazlewood. Other staples like Devdutt Padikkal and Bhuvneshwar Kumar will also return to the squad.
Players who left
The most talked‑about release was England all‑rounder Liam Livingstone, who was let go after a slow season that saw him score just 112 runs in 10 games. South Africa pacer Lungi Ngidi was another exit, alongside Swastik Chikara, Mayank Agarwal, Tim Seifert, Manoj Bhandage, Blessing Muzarabani, Mohit Rathee and a few others. In total, eight players have been released ahead of the auction.
A quick look back
RCB celebrated their maiden IPL trophy last year, ending a 18‑year wait. After finishing second in the league, the team beat Punjab Kings in both the qualifier and the final. Virat Kohli topped the run charts, while Josh Hazlewood recorded the most wickets. The victory was a high point for the franchise and its fans.
Retained squad
- Rajat Patidar (captain)
- 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
Released players
Liam Livingstone, Swastik Chikara, Mayank Agarwal, Tim Seifert, Manoj Bhandage, Lungi Ngidi, Blessing Muzarabani, Mohit Rathee
With the squad set, Royal Challengers Bengaluru are ready to chase victory again next season, aiming to build on their historic triumph and keep fans thrilled.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
