NEW DELHI: Royal Challengers Bengaluru entered the IPL 2026 auction with a relatively modest purse of Rs 16.40 crore and eight slots to fill, including two overseas positions, as the defending champions looked to reinforce an already settled squad. RCB are coming off a historic campaign, having won the IPL 2025 title — their maiden championship — after defeating Punjab Kings in the final, and the focus this time was clearly on adding depth rather than overhauling the core.
The franchise has retained a strong group of players that forms the backbone of their title-winning side. The batting unit continues to revolve around Virat Kohli, supported by the likes of Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar and Tim David. The presence of wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma adds flexibility in the middle order, while all-round options such as Krunal Pandya and Romario Shepherd provide balance across departments. In the bowling attack, experience and variety come through Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal and Nuwan Thushara, complemented by young Indian talent.
While RCB kept their spending measured, the mini auction itself was dominated by blockbuster deals elsewhere. Australian all-rounder Cameron Green stole the headlines after being snapped up by Kolkata Knight Riders for a staggering Rs 25.20 crore, making him the third most expensive player in IPL history. Chennai Super Kings went all out for uncapped Indian talent, with Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma becoming the highest-priced uncapped players in IPL history. KKR further made waves by securing Matheesha Pathirana for Rs 18 crore, the highest fee ever paid for a Sri Lankan player at an IPL auction.
Overall, all 10 franchises managed to fill the 77 available slots, spending a combined Rs 215.45 crore in a frenetic auction that once again underlined the league’s growing financial muscle.
RCB made some valuable additions, headlined by the signing of India all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer for Rs 7 crore, adding proven all-round quality to the squad. They also brought in New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy for Rs 2 crore and uncapped left-arm fast bowler Mangesh Yadav for Rs 5.20 crore. Young Indian prospects Satvik Deswal, Kanishk Chouhan, Vihaan Malhotra and Vicky Ostwal were secured at their base prices, while England batter Jordan Cox was picked up for Rs 75 lakh.
With a championship-winning core intact and smart reinforcements added, Royal Challengers Bengaluru will head into IPL 2026 aiming to defend their crown and build on the momentum of a landmark season.
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.
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