IPL 2026 mini auction: Flaws RCB need to fix to win back-to-back titles

Anurag Dasgupta

Area RCB needs to work on [Source: @iplt20.com] Area RCB needs to work on [Source: @iplt20.com]

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) won the IPL 2025 title against all odds by defeating the Punjab Kings in the grand finale. The team waited for 18 years to capture their elusive title, and they achieved the feat in a close-fought contest. However, despite the victory, the team has quite a few chinks in its armour before next season.

The team had a supreme batting lineup as the likes of Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, and Jitesh Sharma dominated the proceedings. However, despite the win, the team has one key area that needs addressing in the IPL 2026 mini auction - the bowling department.

The RCB bowling had one or two outstanding performers, but overall, it lacked the cutting-edge and the gap needs to be filled in the upcoming mini auction.

RCB bowlers in IPL 2025

Bowlers
Dismissals
Economy rate
Josh Hazlewood228.77
Bhuvneshwar Kumar179.29
Suyash Sharma88.84
Rasikh Salam111.67
Yash Dayal139.59
Krunal Pandya178.24
Lungi Ngidi410.13
Nuwan Thushara16.50
  • In terms of the main bowlers, only Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar were at their best, while the rest of the bowlers showcased their best in patches. The consistency was lacking from most of the RCB bowlers as the bulk of the task was carried by Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar.
  • The duo picked up 39 wickets between them, and while the likes of Yash Dayal scalped 13 wickets, but his economy rate was on the higher side.
  • Suyash Sharma was RCB’s lead spinner, and the leg-break bowler played as a defensive bowler as he only took 8 wickets, and conceded runs at 8.84.
  • So, two bowlers who are in their 30s outsmarted the bowlers who are young and in their 20s. The team needs someone to provide support to Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar, and this major concern needs addressing during the mini auction.

What could be RCB's gameplan in mini auction?

  • In the mini auction, the franchises don’t release a bulk of players at one go, and hence, expect most of the bowlers to be retained, with only Rasikh Salam Dar the exception. Yash Dayal is also involved in off-field controversies, and don’t be surprised if the RCB team decides to release him as well.
  • If Rasikh Dar and Yash Dayal get released, the franchise certainly needs an Indian bowler in the squad to become the third fiddle alongside Bhuvi and Hazlewood. If the team gets a quality pacer, they still need to solve one issue.
  • While Suyash was a brilliant defensive bowler and played a huge part in RCB’s success, but he lacked the wicket-taking ability. Ever since Yuzvendra Chahal left, RCB have been unable to find his replacement, and perhaps, the mini auction might allow them to get a spinner who can take wickets to put pressure on the opposition.

Final verdict

RCB’s batting doesn’t need much of an upgrade in the mini auction, but the bowling department could certainly do well with a repair. While the core of the attack would remain the same, the team should ideally look to add a wicket-taking spinner and an Indian bowler in their ranks.