Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) entered the IPL 2026 auction with a clear strategy: to reinforce their championship-winning squad without making wholesale changes. Fresh off their maiden IPL title in 2025, defeating the Punjab Kings in a historic final, the team aimed to add depth and cover potential gaps. With a purse of ₹16.4 crore and eight slots to fill, including two overseas positions, RCB focused on strategic acquisitions.
The auction saw RCB secure key players to bolster their batting and bowling departments. The most notable addition was Indian all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer, acquired for ₹7 crore. Iyer is expected to add firepower and experience to the top order, potentially slotting in at number three. His versatility as a player makes him a valuable asset to the team.
To strengthen their pace attack, RCB picked up New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy for his base price of ₹2 crore. Duffy's height and ability to extract seam movement make him a valuable backup to Josh Hazlewood and a potential starter in favorable conditions. RCB also added depth to their bowling attack by securing uncapped left-arm fast bowler Mangesh Yadav for ₹5.20 crore and left-arm wrist spinner Satvik Deswal for ₹30 lakh, providing variety and options in both pace and spin.
In addition to these players, RCB also picked up England batter Jordan Cox for ₹75 lakh and young Indian prospects Vicky Ostwal, Vihaan Malhotra, and Kanishk Chouhan at their base prices. These additions provide further depth to the squad and offer potential for future growth.
The franchise retained a strong core of players from their title-winning side, including Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, and Tim David. The batting unit revolves around Virat Kohli, with support from other players. The presence of wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma adds flexibility to the middle order, while all-rounders Krunal Pandya and Romario Shepherd provide balance across departments. The bowling attack features experienced players such as Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, and Nuwan Thushara, complemented by young Indian talent.
RCB released several players, including Liam Livingstone, Mayank Agarwal, and Lungi Ngidi, to free up purse space and overseas slots ahead of the auction. This allowed them to target specific players to fill the gaps in their squad.
Overall, RCB's performance at the IPL 2026 auction was well-regarded. The team secured a balanced squad with depth in both batting and bowling, addressing key areas of concern. With a blend of retained stars and strategic acquisitions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru are well-positioned to defend their title and build on the momentum of their landmark season.
