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.
