RCB Retentions 2026: Royal Challengers Bengaluru have confirmed all their RCB Retentions for the upcoming season as they are set to give one more shot at lifting an IPL title. Mixing experience, youth and overseas firepower, the franchise seems hellbent on forming a balanced outfit this upcoming season.
The headline, as always, is Virat Kohli’s continued tenure: He remains the franchise’s face. And they have certainly held on to a number of highly influential players from recent seasons, as well as releasing some huge overseas names in a bid for rebuilding.
RCB Retained Players for IPL 2026
RCB Retained Players for IPL 2026
| Players Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Rajat Patidar | Batsman |
| Virat Kohli | Batsman |
| Tim David | Batsman |
| Devdutt Padikkal | Batsman |
| Phil Salt | Batsman |
| Jitesh Sharma | Batsman |
| Krunal Pandya | Allrounder |
| Jacob Bethell | Allrounder |
| Romario Shepherd | Allrounder |
| Swapnil Singh | Allrounder |
| Josh Hazlewood | Bowler |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | Bowler |
| Rasikh Salam | Bowler |
| Yash Dayal | Bowler |
| Suyash Sharma | Bowler |
| Nuwan Thushara | Bowler |
| Abhinandan Singh | Bowler |
The retention plan indicates RCB’s intent to ensure earlier continuity. With Kohli, Patidar and Padikkal in the batting top three; Phil Salt and Tim David can serve as finishers. Jitesh Sharma remains as an amenable wicketkeeper-batter that can pack the middle order hard.
In the bowling department, Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Romario Shepherd and Yash Dayal all add to a strong pace attack. RCB have also had faith in the youth – Suyash Sharma and Rasikh Salam has long-lasting potential.
RCB Released Players
| Players Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Mayank Agarwal | Batsman |
| Swastik Chikara | Batsman |
| Tim Seifert | Batsman |
| Liam Livingstone | Allrounder |
| Manoj Bhandage | Allrounder |
| Lungi Ngidi | Bowler |
| Mohit Rathee | Allrounder |
The release of Liam Livingstone, Lungi Ngidi and Tim Seifert is an interesting one; all three have international experience but had a stop-start season at best. Mayank Agarwal’s departure also makes room for new bowlers at the domestic level as well at the top.
Auction Outlook
It’s game over, man!” With 17 players to hold back, RCB have known exactly what they wanted for this IPL 2026 auction. The franchise will be looking for a backup opener, an Indian spinner of repute and a power-hitter to add more options to its bench.
The retention list was indicative of a lack of churn, faith in the core group and a fresh push to end their long wait for this IPL trophy.
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