IPL 2026 retention: Probable list of players RCB might retain for next season

Anurag Dasgupta

RCB retention list [Source: AFP Photo]RCB retention list [Source: AFP Photo]

The IPL 2026 season is still a few months away, but the buzz has already started as all ten sides have started to prepare for the retention list and the upcoming mini auction in December. Despite winning the IPL title in the 2025 season, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will be keen on filling in the loopholes and for that, they need to retain the right core of players.

The unwanted players will be released, and the players the franchise wants to retain will be kept for the next season. Ahead of the retention deadline day, we look at the players RCB might retain for the IPL 2026 season.

RCB's IPL 2026 probable retention list

Players
Role
Rajat PatidarBatter
Virat KohliBatter
Phil SaltBatter
Devdutt PadikkalBatter
Tim DavidBatter
Swastik Chikara
Batter
Jitesh SharmaKeeper-batter
Krunal PandyaAll-rounder
Romario ShepherdAll-rounder
Bhuvneshwar KumarBowler
Josh HazlewoodBowler
Suyash SharmaBowler

RCB's top order is set for IPL 2026

In Virat Kohli and Phil Salt, RCB has a formidable duo that performed exceedingly well in the IPL 2025 season. Their pair at the top was one of the key reasons why RCB won the league title.

Criterion
Phil Salt
Virat Kohli
Matches1315
Runs403657
Strike rate175.98144.71
  • The duo was exceptional with the bat, and in almost every game, they gave a fiery start that laid a strong foundation for the other big hitters in middle order.

Middle-order core settled

  • In Rajat Patidar, Tim David, Devdutt Padikkal, and Jitesh Sharma, the middle order core is already settled; however, the team only needs one batter to fill in the gap in case the franchise decides to part ways with Liam Livingstone, who had an underwhelming season. Also, if we add Romario Shepherd and Krunal Pandya, then the team is almost complete.
  • Krunal Pandya was the unsung hero of the IPL 2025 campaign for RCB, and he was equally potent with the bat and the ball.
Criterion
Data
Matches15
Runs scored109
Wickets taken17

(Krunal Pandya in IPL 2025)

  • He is an underrated gem of the star, and Krunal’s retention will be a top priority for the RCB side.

Bowling core looks a bit weak

While Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar are exceptional, the others have lacked the cutting-edge, and the team might invest in the bowling department. Hazlewood looked cut from a different cloth, while others were one step below him.

Criterion
Data
Matches12
Dismissals22
Economy8.77

(Hazlewood in IPL 2025)

  • Despite playing only 12 matches, he scalped 22 wickets and was one of the main reasons why the franchise captured their maiden IPL title.
  • Bhuvneshwar Kumar will also be retained due to his exceptional death bowling skills, while the team will look to add an extra spinner in their ranks.