The defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), consolidated on the gains they made at the mega auction last year and added some crucial bench strength to their existing squad in the IPL auction 2026. The new signings include ace Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batter Venkatesh Iyer.
A bright emerging prospect in the form of Mangesh Yadav, who can step up in the ranks as a replacement for Yash Dayal. In addition to these emerging Indian players, the addition of Jacob Duffy and Jordan Cox provides vibrant overseas options for the defending champions. In light of these significant additions, we at Scorzo have reviewed the Royal Challengers Bengaluru squad ahead of IPL 2026.
Batsmen
Phil Salt and Virat Kohli are bound to provide the kind of explosive start to the innings as they did last year. The batting department of the defending champions is a perfect blend of experience and talent, featuring skipper Rajat Patidar, Devdutt Padikkal, and Tim David. Jordan Cox, Vihaan Malhotra, and Satvik Deswal are handy options down the order and on the bench for defending champions, who can cause major upset to any bowling side if the stars align for them. Overall, this batting unit enshrines the quality and aggressive mindset necessary to successfully defend their title this season.
All-Rounders
An INR 7CR deal for Venkatesh Iyer might look a bit too much given his last year’s record with KKR, but considering that the 30-year-old provides stability in the middle order and the efficiency with which he has bowled recently in the Syed Mustaq Ali Trophy, the deal can turn the tide for RCB in crucial moments. To back Iyer up, RCB has got the impeccable performances that Krunal Pandya has put for the side last year, with Romario Shepherd, Jacob Bethell and Swapnil Singh in supporting roles as the side expects its All-Rounders to be firing on all cylinders for the entirety of IPL 2026.
Bowlers
RCB has got everything as far as a class bowling unit is concerned. The pace of Josh Hazelwood, the experience and swing of Bhubaneswar Kumar and the efficiency of Yash Dayal. To top that, they have impressive backups like Jacob Duffy, Nuwan Thusara, Rasikh Salam Dar, Abhinandan Singh, Kanish Chauhan, and Mangesh Yadav, who can step in if the standard pace trio faces an injury.
Suyash Sharma had an impressive option as a standard spin option whenever he got the opportunity last season. However, the option of left-arm spin is also available for RCB in the form of Vicky Ostwal. Overall, the bowling unit has everything you can expect from a quality franchise that will try to put their ace game as defending champions.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru certainly seem poised to defend their maiden IPL title following their impressive outing in the Mini-Auction held at Abu Dhabi recently. They have selected a balanced team that has its bases covered across all departments and includes the explosive batting firepower demanded by IPL cricket.
