RCB’s IPL 2026 auction strategy: Top players they are likely to target

Players RCB might target for the IPL 2026 season. (Photo: X)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the reigning champions, have a solid core of 17 retained players going into the Indian Premier League (IPL) mini-auction. These players include Josh Hazlewood, Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, and captain Rajat Patidar. Instead of completely rebuilding the team, their approach is to repair modest yet targeted deficiencies in order to preserve its championship balance. Liam Livingstone, an overseas all-rounder, and Lungi Ngidi, a pacer, are released, freeing up Rs 16.40 crore for targeted investment to fill eight open spots (including two overseas).

Josh Hazlewood and Nuwan Thushara give RCB's pace assault depth, but Thushara's relative inexperience and Hazlewood's workload management call for a high-impact, elite pace alternative to rotate or partner with them. This is the most important international need for RCB.

Anrich Nortje, who was released by DC, is a near-perfect fit. He provides aggression and a true speed of more than 145 km/h for both the Powerplay and middle overs, making him an invaluable asset on the flat Bengaluru wickets.

Gerald Coetzee (released by GT) is an additional choice who is also from South Africa. He is a cost-effective choice to be Hazlewood's long-term backup.

Mustafizur Rahman, a proven death-over specialist who was released by RR, may also be brought back by RCB.

RCB's top order is strong, but to have flexibility with their few overseas berths, the team still needs a good Indian batsman who can handle spin and finish games in the middle order. The top target is Venkatesh Iyer, who was released by KKR. He has left-handed power, can bat third or fourth, and bowls at a respectable pace.

Mahipal Lomror (released by RR), a left-handed Indian all-rounder who can stabilize the middle order and offer useful leg-spin, is a more practical and affordable target.

The DC-released Prithvi Shaw may also be considered by the franchise.

In 2025, RCB lacked a true, high-impact wicket-taking spinner, even though they kept Suyash Sharma and Krunal Pandya. They are anticipated to explore an elite alternative in order to remedy this.

The best middle-overs wicket-taking danger is provided by LSG-released Ravi Bishnoi, who would be a huge improvement. There may possibly be a reunion with Wanindu Hasaranga (released by RR).

A dynamic overseas batting all-rounder is needed in light of Liam Livingstone's exit.

With his economical off-spin and left-handed middle-order batting, Michael Bracewell (released by DC) is a wonderful complement to Krunal Pandya as a rotational player.