IPL 2026 has already been the talk of the town and among all one of the prime highlights includes RCB Retained & Released Players List for IPL 2026. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), who secured their maiden IPL title in 2025, came into the new term with sky high levels of confidence and a well thought-out plan. Rather than start from zero infrastructured-wise, RCB have opted to settle for continuity and stability by not losing most of their core players.
The core was vibrant, a good blend of seasoned superstars and bright young Indian talent along with foreign cricketers who made an impression. They also dumped players who preached the wrong kind of culture or failed to make on-field contributions.
This article explains the entire retained and released list with tables, squad composition, remaining purse, potential auction targets, strategies insights and all information needed.
Check out the complete RCB Retained & Released Players List for IPL 2026.
RCB Retained Players List for IPL 2026
Ahead of the IPL 2026, RCB has retained 17 players. They are players who embody the team’s strength and anchor their title-winning side.
Here is the full list of retained players:
RCB Retained Players Table – IPL 2026
| Player Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | Right-Hand Batsman |
| Rajat Patidar (Captain) | Middle-Order Batsman |
| Devdutt Padikkal | Opening Batsman |
| Phil Salt | Wicketkeeper-Batsman |
| Jitesh Sharma | Wicketkeeper-Batsman |
| Krunal Pandya | All-Rounder |
| Josh Hazlewood | Fast Bowler |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | Swing Bowler |
| Tim David | Power-Hitter / Finisher |
| Jacob Bethell | Batting All-Rounder |
| Romario Shepherd | Fast Bowling All-Rounder |
| Nuwan Thushara | Fast Bowler |
| Yash Dayal | Left-Arm Fast Bowler |
| Suyash Sharma | Spin Bowler |
| Swapnil Singh | All-Rounder |
| Abhinandan Singh | Domestic Batsman |
| Rasikh Salam Dar | Fast Bowler |
Why RCB Retained These Players
- Good batting lineup with the likes of Kohli, Patidar, Padikkal and Salt.
- Dependable power at the end with Tim David & Shepherd.
- Good balance of the team with Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar, Thushara and Dayal too in my opinion.
- Spin department of the future with Suyash Sharma.
- Decent blend of youth and experience for future stability.
In doing so, RCB ensure squad consistency and carries forward the winning mentality.
RCB Released Players List for IPL 2026
RCB released 8 players ahead of the auction to open up space for new additions and create financial flexibility.
RCB Released Players Table – IPL 2026
| Player Name | Role / Reason for Release |
|---|---|
| Liam Livingstone | All-Rounder – inconsistent and high price |
| Lungi Ngidi | Fast Bowler – overseas combination adjustment |
| Swastik Chikara | Batsman – limited opportunities |
| Mayank Agarwal | Batsman – not in long-term plans |
| Tim Seifert | WK-Batsman – tough competition with Salt & Jitesh |
| Manoj Bhandage | All-Rounder – team restructuring |
| Mohit Rathee | All-Rounder – squad balance decision |
| Blessing Muzarabani | Bowler – overseas slot optimization |
Why RCB Released These Players
- To free up overseas slots
- To focus on consistent performers
- To add depth to the bowling unit
- To manage purse more effectively
- To bring about efficiency of operations on similar posts
This combination of tactical and financial decisions helps RCB build up towards a stronger auction strategy.
RCB Remaining Purse for IPL 2026 Auction
- Total Purse Remaining: ₹16.4 Crore
- Total Available Slots: 8
- Foreign Player Slots Available: 2
This gives RCB enough flexibility to target:
- a high-impact overseas all-rounder
- a strong fast bowler
- a middle-order stabilizer
- a couple of future-orientated Indian kids
With 16.4 crore left in the purse, RCB can bid aggressively for an A list name if need be.
Detailed Analysis of RCB’s IPL 2026 Strategy
1. Focus on Core Stability
RCB – 2025 (Title winners) ODI: At the end of IPL 2025, where they won their first title, RCB decide not to rock the boat in a big way. They have retained some trusted performers who know team system and pitch conditions in Bengaluru.
2. Strengthening the Bowling Unit
If you look at history, the biggest weakness of RCB is their bowling. They had also invested heavily in fast bowlers and spinners over the last two seasons.
Their retained list ensures:
- Swing in the powerplay (Bhuvneshwar)
- Pace and bounce (Hazlewood, Thushara)
- Death-overs options (Shepherd, Dayal)
- Mystery spin (Suyash Sharma)
Bowling is now one of the RCB’s most reliable departments.
3. Overseas Strategy Improvement
Overseas players in the same sort of roles were treading on each other’s toes with RCB previously. It would clear space to bring in more dependable overseas specialists by cutting players like Livingstone, Seifert, Ngidi and Muzarabani.
4. Domestic Talent Boost
Retaining youngsters like Suyash, Dayal, Bethell and Abhinandan is how to build for the future of the team.
5. Captaincy Stability
Rajat Patidar remains the captain as:
- maintains dressing-room balance
- reduces leadership transitions
- provides long-term direction
6. Auction Flexibility
With 16.4 crore, RCB can go after:
- a strike bowler
- middle-order batsman
- a backup wicketkeeper
- a quality all-rounder
The mix puts RCB is in a good place to fill the remaining gaps.
Read more: RCB vs RR IPL Matches Head to Head/RCB vs DC Head to Head in IPL, Records, Stats & Results
Possible Players RCB May Target in IPL 2026 Auction
Final targets are dependent on availability, but RCB will be having half an eye for:
- A reliable overseas fast-bowler to complement Hazlewood
- A lower-order batting all-rounder
- A backup opener
- A specialist finisher
Today RCB are no longer interested in flamboyance, only high-impact and low risk individuals.
Predicted RCB Playing XI for IPL 2026 (Based on Current Squad)
- Phil Salt (WK)
- Devdutt Padikkal
- Virat Kohli
- Rajat Patidar (C)
- Tim David
- Krunal Pandya
- Romario Shepherd
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Josh Hazlewood
- Yash Dayal
- Suyash Sharma
This XI offers:
- Strong top order
- Experienced middle order
- Balanced bowling attack
- Good finishing power
Conclusion
The RCB Retained & Released Players List for IPL 2026 looks sensible and steady. Champions for the first time in 2025, RCB didn’t do over-trickery; they did continuity. With 17 players retained, 8 set free and ₹16.4 crore in purse ahead of the mini-auction, RCB is gearing up to make another title-winning squad.
Their current core is deep enough, balanced enough, all-rounder-y enough — what a champion team needs. If they come up with some flattering picks at the IPL 2026 auction, RCB will once again be one of the heavyweights to compete for the title.
FAQS
Q. How many RCB players have been retained for IPL 2026?
A. They retained 17 players in all for IPL 2026, including the likes of Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Devdutt Padikkal and overseas recruits Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Q. How many players did RCB release before IPL 2026?
A. RCB let go 8 players prior to the auction. Some of the big names in the list are Liam Livingstone, Lungi Ngidi, Mayank Agarwal and Tim Seifert.
Q. What is RCB’s balance purse for IPL 2026 auction?
A. Post-auction purse: RCB still have ₹16.4 crore after IPL 2026 auction and will enter the tournament with plenty of room to make a fresh impact purchase.
Q. Who is the RCB captain in IPL 2026?
A. Captain: Rajat Patidar RCB vs SRH match Center of IPL 2026 Prediction, Fantasy Playing Tips-15th April 2026
Q. How many spots are open for RCB at IPL 2026 auctions?
A. RCB for mini-auction has 8 available slots, including 2 overseas slots.
