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Jordan Cox and...? 3 RCB signings who might miss out on playing with Virat Kohli in IPL 2026

Sakshi Sharma

Jordan Cox and Virat Kohli (Source: AFP)Jordan Cox and Virat Kohli (Source: AFP)

Abu Dhabi hosted the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 mini-auction on Tuesday, December 16, with 369 players available for franchises. Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) were active in the auction, signing eight players, with all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer being the most significant buy.

RCB, led by Rajat Patidar, had a memorable season earlier this year, winning their maiden IPL title. The team retained 17 players and released six, including Liam Livingstone and Lungi Ngidi. With eight vacant spots and a purse of Rs 16.4 crore, RCB made their moves carefully.

The highlight of their auction was Venkatesh Iyer, who was purchased for Rs 7 crore. Other players bought by RCB include: Jacob Duffy (Rs 2 crore), Satvik Deswal (Rs 30 lakh), Mangesh Yadav (Rs 5.2 crore), Jordan Cox (Rs 75 lakh), Vicky Ostwal (Rs 30 lakh), Vihaan Malhotra (Rs 30 lakh) and Kanishk Chouhan (Rs 30 lakh).

Having said this, in this article, let's take a look at three players who might not get a single game for RCB in IPL 2026.

Jordan Cox

  • English wicketkeeper-batter Jordan Cox, bought for ₹75 lakh, is one of the players who may not get a single game for RCB in IPL 2026. Cox is known for his aggressive batting and excellent fielding skills. He also has an impressive first-class record, in 62 innings he has made 3889 runs at a strike-rate of 54.75.
  • However, RCB’s batting line-up looks well settled. The opening pair of Virat Kohli and Phil Salt played a crucial role in the title-winning campaign last season. Their combination of aggression and stability worked perfectly, leaving little room for change.
  • Even if one of the openers is unavailable, RCB has Jacob Bethell as a backup. With such strong alternatives already in place, Cox is expected to remain on the sidelines unless injuries or major changes force the team management to rethink their plans.

Kanishk Chouhan

  • Young all-rounder Kanishk Chouhan, picked at his base price of ₹30 lakh, is another player who may find it difficult to break into the playing XI. A promising Under-19 star, Kanishk is known for his aggressive batting and economical bowling.
  • Despite his talent, RCB already have several proven all-rounders. Krunal Pandya and Romario Shepherd performed well last season, while new signings like Satvik Deswal and Mangesh Yadav further add to the all-rounder department.
  • With so many options available, Kanishk may have to wait patiently for his opportunity, which might not come this season unless the team faces injuries or rotation becomes necessary.

Vicky Ostwal

  • Left-arm spinner Vicky Ostwal, acquired for ₹30 lakh, also appears unlikely to feature regularly for RCB. His IPL journey so far has been challenging. After being bought by the Delhi Capitals (DC) in 2022, he did not play a single match across three seasons. His move to RCB offers a fresh start, but competition remains stiff.
  • RCB already have Krunal Pandya as their frontline spinner, along with Swapnil Singh as another spin option. With both players offering experience and balance, Ostwal may once again find himself waiting on the bench for most of the season.