RCB Retained & Released Players List for IPL 2026

For the first time in a while, theres a clear road map for Royal Challengers Bengaluru coming into IPL 2026. Having previously been known for making big calls and star-led narratives, RCB now seem to be in the business of continuity, balance and long-term planning.

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RCB Retained & Released Players List for IPL 2026 is an indication of a team that has learnt from the past. Rather than lurch towards short-term hype, RCB have opted for leadership stability, firm Indian roots and bowling suited to Indian conditions.

This article is a comprehensive expert analysis breaking down RCB’s retained and released players for IPL 2026, dissecting the game plan and reasoning behind all key choices.

RCB Retained Players for IPL 2026

The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) retention list reflects a balance of leadership, experience, youth and flexibility. The franchise looked in the direction of players who can deliver match-winning performances in different conditions and pressure circumstances.

RCB Retained Players Table (IPL 2026)

Player Name	Role	Reason for Retention
Rajat Patidar (C)	Top-order Batter	New captain, long-term Indian leader
Virat Kohli	Top-order Batter	Backbone of the team, consistency & experience
Phil Salt	WK-Opener	Explosive starts, aggressive powerplay batting
Jitesh Sharma	WK-Batter	Reliable Indian middle-order finisher
Krunal Pandya	All-Rounder	Spin + batting depth, tactical flexibility
Tim David	Power Hitter	Death-overs specialist
Josh Hazlewood	Fast Bowler	Pace anchor, accuracy & control
Bhuvneshwar Kumar	Fast Bowler	Swing, experience, new-ball expert
Suyash Sharma	Spinner	Young Indian wicket-taker
Jacob Bethell	All-Rounder	Versatile overseas utility player

Why Were These Players Retained?

RCB retained players based on:

Proven performance under pressure
Suitability to Indian pitches
Leadership or tactical awareness
Ability to play multiple roles
Enduring effect, not immediate renown

This is a strategy of an organization that operates like it’s a mature franchise and long-term success is the goal.

Rajat Patidar (C) – The Skipper

Making Rajat Patidar the captain would be one of RCB’s biggest moves for IPL 2026. Patidar has developed into a reliable top-order batsman who knows how to pace an innings in T20 cricket.

He is a composed leader, thinks logically and not emotional and leads from the front. RCB consider him a captain for the future who can establish a solid team culture. There is an Indian face to RCB leadership under Patidar Change is known from the sense of continuance.

The Backbone Virat Kohli is the backbone of RCB.

Virat Kohli is the emotional and tactical spine of RCB. His retention was inevitable. Kohli’s repeated success at the top, unparalleled experience and a winning culture is what RCB are associated with.

Even when he does not captain, his presence in the side is huge. He is a role model to younger players and his presence means we have experience with the bat in pressure games.

Phil Salt – The Attacking Opening Batsman

Phil Salt is fearless at the top of the RCB order. In modern day T20 cricket, it relies on powerplay destruction and Salt is made for the job.

He takes the fight to the bowlers from ball one, putting opposing captains on the back foot. His aggression matches that of Sachin Tendulkar whereas Kohli is quite like Rahul Dravid.””That kind of a combination does help.

Jitesh Sharma – Middle-Order Finisher

Jitesh Sharma has established himself as one of the most reliable Indian finishers. He looks comfortable against both spin and pace, and is able to perform under pressure.

RCB brought him in to bolster the Indian batting nucleus and lessen reliance on foreign finishers. His presence makes the middle-order flexible and deep.

Krunal Pandya – Multi-Dimensional All-Rounder

Krunal Pandya provides the balance every IPL side craves. His left-arm spin works on Indian tracks, and his batting gives a bit of comfort during change.

Not just the numbers, he adds experience and match awareness. His spot can obviously be made variable too, depending on how the match is tracking as well.

Tim David – Power Finisher

Tim David can be among the most devastating finishers in T20 cricket. For RCB, his ability to hit sixes regularly in the backend of ODIs clinches an edge for them when it comes down to close games.

They would have wanted to keep him for the match-winning ability and a role-defined player. There are few players who can influence the result of a game in as short an amount of time as Tim David.

Josh Hazlewood – The Pace Workhorse With Mitchell Starc (right) living up to his reputation at the World Cup, it provides swing option for skipper Aaron Finch while Pat Cummins impressed in the two practice matches.

Josh Hazlewood – The Pace Anchor

Josh Hazlewood will bring control, discipline and dependability to the RCB fast bowling ranks. He doesn’t win with pure speed but with accuracy and bounce.

He is crucial in bowling key overs, those at the powerplay and death. His quietly spoken presence is also a guiding light for young bowlers.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar – Experience is the key here playing conditions + Swing.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar remains one of the sharpest fast bowlers in India. His knack for swinging the new ball and bowling variations in the death has been crucial.

Experience and tactical nous favoured him over his peers, He appealed too for Indian conditions.

Suyash Sharma

Suyash Sharma seems to be the RCB’s gamble on future Indian talent. He also bowls attacking lines and hunts wickets, not economy.

Given good backing, he could be a key spinner for RCB in the future editions.

Jacob Bethell – Everywhere On the Pitch Option

Jacob Bethell can play in multiple positions. He can bat in different positions, bowl a few meaningful overs and also chip in as a good fielder.

Such utility men are like gold dust in a long tournament such as the IPL.

RCB Released Players for IPL 2026

RCB Released Players for Indian Premier League (IPL) Updated on November 10, by Anirudh Singh Here are the RCB released players and all sold rcb Franchise -Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Base price (₹ lakh) – Fetched(₹ Lakh) Player Role List of Players whom Royal Challengers Bangalore* have Released.

Releasing players is a normal process to create space in the salary purse and also at times to get the balance right. Players not fitting their long-term blueprint were released by RCB.

RCB Players who have Retained and Released 2026 (IPL)

Player Name	Role	Reason for Release
Liam Livingstone	All-Rounder	High cost, inconsistent impact
Lungi Ngidi	Fast Bowler	Overseas combination change
Manoj Bhandage	All-Rounder	Squad restructuring
Swastik Chhikara	Batter	Bench optimization
Mayank Agarwal	Top-order Batter	Not in long-term plans
Mohit Rathee	All-Rounder	Balance considerations

Why Were These Players Released?

RCB’s release strategy focused on:

Freeing up auction purse
Optimizing overseas slots
Removing underutilized bench players
Prioritizing versatility and consistency

Those choices were driven by data, not emotion.

Team Strategy for the IPL 2026 as a Whole

RCB’s IPL 2026 plan is clarity and realism incarnate.

Building a Strong Indian Core

Leadership and performance in the team now came increasingly from Indian mouths and hands.

Balanced Combination of All-Rounders

All-rounders can play in more than one way.

Strengthening the Bowling Department

RCB emphasised control, experience and the ability to take wickets.

Stability Over Short-Term Mercenaries

The franchise valued continuity and defined roles over splashy signings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is captain of RCB in IPL 2021?

Royal Challengers Bengaluru name Rajat Patidar captain for IPL 2026. The franchise has displayed confidence in his cool head and consistent home and IPL performances.

Is Virat Kohli released by RCB in IPL 2026?

Yes, Kohli has been retained by the Royal Challengers Bangalore for IPL 2026. He remains the fulcrum around which this side turns, such is his experience, reliability and match-winning presence.

How many players were retained by RCB in IPL 2026?

RCB have picked 10 players to retain for IPL 2026 with a focus on a strong Indian core, dependable all-rounders and bowlers ideal for the conditions in India.

Why RCB needs to retain Liam Livingstone?

The reason Liam Livingstone was let go is because he was too expensive and not consistent enough. RCB had to get rid of their auction purse and the overseas combination balance right.

What is RCB’s team plan for IPL 2026?

RCB IPL auction strategy 2026Clearly build a balanced Indian core Keep the all-rounders relatively mixed while overhauling Indian talent Get more depth in fast bowlers Long-term stability rather than short-term fix.

Conclusion

RCB retained and released players list for IPL 2026 suggests franchise is on right track With Rajat Patidar leading, Virat Kohli being the fulcrum, and a well-rounded side suited to Indian conditions, RCB seems more stable.

If they can play smart at the auction then IPL 2026 could be sixth time lucky for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Want to explore how bowling speed impacts a pacer’s success? Check our complete guide on Bowlingspeed and its role in modern T20 cricket.