RCB IPL 2026 Squad Prediction: Big English Star Out, Ideal Playing XI, Releases, Trade And Auction Targets

Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone, Virat Kohli [Source: @Rcb_Xtra

,@Mybrovirat, @LokeshVirat18K/x.com]

Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally broke their 18-year title drought by winning IPL 2025, but championship success brings new challenges. As defending champions, RCB must navigate the trade window strategically to maintain their winning core while addressing glaring weaknesses from their title run.

Current Squad Situation After IPL 2025 Victory

RCB's triumph came despite significant underperformance from key expensive signings. The RCB

Key Stats from IPL 2025:

• Tournament Winners: First IPL title in 18 years
• Away Dominance: Won all 7 away league matches
• Home Struggles: Only 2 wins at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium
• Top Performers: Virat Kohli (657 runs), Josh Hazlewood (22 wickets), Rajat Patidar (312 runs)

RCB Released Players Ahead of IPL 2026 (Probable)

Strategic releases focus on poor performers who failed to deliver despite winning the title:

Total Savings: ₹19.95 crore

RCB Retained Players For IPL 2026 (Probable)

Championship Core (₹37.00 crore)

Key Performers Retained (₹59.40 crore)

Strategic Trade Targets for IPL 2026

Available Budget: ₹23.60 crore for 12 new players

Priority 1: Explosive Middle-Order Power

Glenn Phillips [Source: @Lommy0Tatham/x.com]

Glenn Phillips (Gujarat Titans)

• Why Perfect: In great touch even before IPL 2025, 250+ T20 matches experience, MLC 2025 form
• Trade Cost: ₹3.50 crore
• Role: Direct Livingstone replacement, explosive finisher

Priority 2: Spin All-rounder Depth

Washington Sundar (if available in trade)

• Why Strategic: Premium Indian spin all-rounder, batting depth, proven IPL performer
• Trade Cost: ₹6.00 crore
• Role: Spin bowling depth, middle-order stability

Priority 3: Indian Pace Backup

Mukesh Kumar (Delhi Capitals)

• Why Ideal: Perfect for Chinnaswamy swing conditions, 77 T20s experience
• Trade Cost: ₹2.50 crore
• Role: Fourth seamer, Rasikh replacement

Mini Auction Strategy (₹11.60 crore remaining)

Realistic Available Targets:

Complete RCB Squad for IPL 2026 (Possible)

Core Retained Squad (13 players - ₹96.40 Cr)

Trade Acquisitions (3 players - ₹12.00 Cr)

Mini Auction Signings (9 players - ₹11.60 cr)

RCB IPL 2026 Squad Summary (25 players - ₹120.00 Cr Approximately)

• Indian Players: 19
• Overseas Players: 6
• Wicket-keepers: 3 (Salt, Jitesh, Anuj)
• Batsmen: 4
• All-rounders: 8
• Bowlers: 10 

RCB Ideal Playing XI For IPL 2026

Spin Friendly Conditions

Impact Player: Tim David (explosive batting finisher)

Pace-friendly conditions

Impact Player: Washington Sundar (spin all-rounder option)

Why This Strategy Works for Title Defense

1. Championship DNA Preserved

• Core retained: Kohli-Salt partnership, Patidar's proven leadership
• Key performers: Hazlewood-Bhuvneshwar pace duo maintained
• Winning combination: 13 champions form the squad foundation

2. Strategic Weaknesses Addressed

• Middle-order power: Phillips replaces failed Livingstone experiment
• Spin depth: Sundar adds premium spinning option alongside Krunal
• Home advantage: Spin-heavy XI designed for Chinnaswamy success

3. Financial Discipline

• Exact ₹120 crore budget: No overspend unlike previous analysis
• Value additions: ₹19.95 cr savings reinvested in ₹23.60 cr quality additions
• Squad depth: 25 players providing tactical flexibility

4. Realistic Acquisitions

• Trade targets: Players actually likely to be available
• Mini-auction picks: Veterans and fringe players, not superstars
• Budget allocation: Logical distribution across priorities

Key Success Factors For 2026

1. Home Ground Mastery

With Sundar and Krunal, RCB finally has spin depth to exploit Chinnaswamy's conditions where they struggled in 2025.

2. Captaincy Continuity

Rajat Patidar retains leadership after proving himself with maiden title - no disruption needed.

3. Tactical Flexibility

Multiple playing XI combinations allow adaptation to different conditions while maintaining core strength.

Conclusion

RCB's 2026 strategy should focus on evolution over revolution. By releasing expensive failures and investing smartly in proven performers like Phillips and Sundar, they address specific gaps while preserving their championship formula.

This squad transforms RCB from champions to sustainable contenders with better balance, realistic budget management, and strategic depth - exactly within the ₹120 crore limit.

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