Kolkata : As the 2026 Indian Premier League approaches, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) enter the new season with a long history of strong squads, heavy expectations and a fan base that has remained one of the most loyal in the tournament.
Their journey across seasons has swung between high-scoring spectacles, deep playoff pushes and repeated attempts to secure the league’s most elusive prize.
That pursuit finally ended with their title breakthrough last season. RCB produced one of their most complete campaigns, driven by consistent top-order runs, reliable middle-overs control and a bowling group that delivered in pressure situations.
Several players stood out through the year, forming the spine of the championship run and shaping the core the team now carries into 2026.
Virat Kohli led the charge with 657 runs, producing eight half-centuries, that too, all in wins, and setting the tone with his aggressive approach in the powerplay. Phil Salt complemented him with rapid starts of his own, striking at 175.98 and consistently breaking open the first six overs.
Rajat Patidar’s return as captain added stability, with crucial early-season half-centuries in important away wins that helped steady the side’s route to the final.
Their bowling unit matched the batting group’s impact as well. Josh Hazlewood’s 22 wickets, including decisive powerplay bursts and death-overs control, turned tight games in RCB’s favour, while Krunal Pandya’s 17 wickets and late-order utility added balance.
Jitesh Sharma and Romario Shepherd provided the finishing punch, delivering high-impact cameos in must-win situations. The abundance of match-winners across departments became the defining trait of RCB’s campaign and the backbone of their climb to the title.
The win also marked a shift in the side’s approach. After years of depending heavily on individual brilliance, RCB’s 2025 campaign was built on a collective effort, with contributions spread across departments. Their late-season surge, which carried them through the playoffs and into the final, highlighted that shift and has now become the base for their upcoming plans.
The focus now shifts to building around the title-winning team. The retained core offers experience and consistency, while younger players who impressed in the previous season add depth.
Retained List : Rajat Patidar (c), Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Phil Salt, Jitesh Sharma, Krunal Pandya, Swapnil Singh, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Jacob Bethell, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Nuwan Thushara, Rasikh Salam, Abhinandan Singh, and Suyash Sharma.
Released list : Swastik Chikara, Mayank Agarwal, Liam Livingstone, Manoj Bhandage, Lungi Ngidi, Blessing Muzarabani, Mohit Rathee.
