RCB IPL auction plan: Prime targets and likely top buys predicted for 2026 season

RCB champions of IPL 2025. [Source - AFP]

With the IPL 2026 mini auction set to take place on December 16, Royal Challengers Bengaluru will look to further strengthen their squad. After winning their maiden IPL title in 2025, RCB aim to fine-tune combinations.

Having already retained their core players, RCB are expected to make calculated moves at the auction. The focus will be on improving squad balance and depth to stay competitive and push for back-to-back titles.

As Royal Challengers Bengaluru prepare for the IPL 2026 season, here we analyse their squad requirements and predict their potential targets at the upcoming mini auction.

RCB retention list for IPL 2026

Role distribution of RCB's retained players

• Top order batters - Virat Kohli, Phil Salt (WK), Jacob Bethell Devdutt Padikkal
• Middle order batters - Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (WK), Tim David
• Lower middle order batter - Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd
• Bowling allrounder - Swapnil Singh
• Pacers - Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Nuwan Thushara, Abhinandan Singh, Rasikh Dar
• Spinners - Suyash Sharm

RCB IPL 2026 auction budget and overseas slots

Royal Challengers Bengaluru have a budget of INR 16.4 crores heading to the IPL mini auction. They have eight slots, including two overseas, to fill in the marquee event.

RCB IPL 2026 squad: What are the gaps to fill?

How RCB's expected playing XI looks like

Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal and Josh Hazlewood. Impact player: Suyash Sharma

• Virat Kohli and Phil Salt definitely open the batting for RCB. Devdutt Padikkal, who scored 247 runs at 150.6 strike-rate in IPL 2025 at three, slots in next.
• Captain Rajat Patidar set to continue in middle-order with Jitesh Sharma handling wicketkeeping duties and adding firepower in the middle-overs alongside Tim David, who has a strike-rate of 179.37, batting in the middle-order in 2025.
• Romario Shepherd strengthens the lower middle-order with power-hitting and all-round abilities, while Krunal Pandya adds balance as a floater up the order if needed and offering invaluable left-arm spin.
• Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood leads the bowling attack with the new ball. Yash Dayal is the left-arm option, while Suyash Sharma comes in as impact player with his leg-spin.

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Areas to address for RCB in IPL mini auction

Pacers as backup

• Josh Hazlewood’s fitness and availability have been uncertain, making backup pacers important for squad balance.
• RCB may need a ready-to-play pacer, both Indian and overseas, who can slot directly into the XI in case of injury or rotation.

Indian top-order batters as backups

• With Mayank Agarwal released, RCB need someone as a reliable backup option at the top of the order. Devdutt Padikkal’s injury last season highlighted the need for a batter who can step straight into the playing XI.
• Following Swastik Chikara’s release, RCB may also look at an Indian domestic top-order name who can add firepower and depth.

An overseas middle-order pace hitter as backup

• With Liam Livingstone released, RCB lack a like-for-like backup in the middle-order. The team needs someone who can maintain momentum during the middle-overs and hits pace towards the end of the innings.
• Tim David’s injury scare in the IPL final highlighted this gap, underlining the importance of having an aggressive middle-order batter who can come into the XI immediately.

Indian wicket-taking spin option

• Suyash Sharma is currently the only leg-spinner in the squad, but he took just 8 wickets in 14 games, highlighting the need of a genuine Indian wicket-taking spin option.
• RCB’s spinners claimed the second-lowest wickets in IPL 2025 only behind Sunrisers Hyderabad, with only 27 wickets at an average of 33.22.

Left-arm pacer

• With Yash Dayal currently out of cricket for some time and his future uncertain, RCB may target an left-arm pacer, both Indian or overseas, as a backup.

Indian wicket-keeper as backup

• RCB may look for an uncapped Indian wicket-keeper to serve as a reliable backup for Jitesh Sharma.
• The backup should be capable of contributing as a middle-order hitter, stepping directly into the XI whenever required.
• With several talented uncapped keeper-batters available in the auction, RCB have the opportunity to strengthen squad depth and flexibility.

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RCB IPL 2026 auction prime targets: Whom the defending champions are likely to go after?

Mustafizur Rahman

• Mustafizur Rahman can provide a left-arm pace backup to Yash Dayal, adding variety and depth to RCB’s bowling attack.
• He is a terrific economical option, especially for RCB’s home ground M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, having taken 65 IPL wickets at just 8.13 RPO.

Kyle Jamieson

• Kyle Jamieson can serve as a like-for-like overseas pacer replacement for Josh Hazlewood, offering height, bounce, and experience in the RCB setup.
• With many other kiwi pacers in high demand, he can be an underrated pick; in IPL, he has taken 14 wickets at an average of 29.71.

Rahul Tripathi

• Rahul Tripathi brings valuable IPL experience and can serve as a like-for-like replacement for Mayank Agarwal for RCB at the top.
• In IPL number three position, he has scored 1,270 runs at an average of 29.53 with a strike rate of 141.42.

Karan Lal

• Karan Lal, a 25-year-old right-handed top-order batter from Bengal, has reportedly impressed RCB management during trials.
• He enjoyed SMAT 2025 season, scoring 225 runs at a strike rate of 195.53, showcasing his aggressive batting at the top.

Michael Bracewell

• Michael Bracewell is an experienced middle-order batter with a calm temperament and explosive finishing ability, striking at 170 against pace and 188.32 in death overs in T20s this year.
• He also offers a reliable spin-bowling option, making him a cost-effective alternative to Liam Livingstone for RCB.

Ravi Singh

• Ravi Singh, a left-handed wicket-keeper batter who plays for Railways, has reportedly impressed RCB management significantly during trials.
• In T20s, he has scored 295 runs at a strike rate of 174.55, so far, perfect for an Indian wicket-keeper batter in this format. 

Shivam Shukla

• Shivam Shukla, a right-arm mystery spinner, has been a genuine wicket-taker for Madhya Pradesh this year in SMAT with 13 wickets at 6.55 RPO.
• With a connection to Rajat Patidar, RCB might target him as a promising spin option to strengthen their middle overs.

Other potential targets for RCB

Lungi Ngidi (might try to get him back), Money Grewal, Akash Madhwal, Ashok Sharma, Jordan Cox (considering his pace-hitting and RCB's recent love for English players), Kartik Sharma (will try to get him at low price), Abhinav Manohar, Yash Punja and Mangesh Yadav.

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