Predicted RCB Retention Checklist for IPL 2026

Unlike some other teams, Royal Challengers Bengaluru will want to retain majority of their squad before the IPL 2026 auction. The defending champions will be very happy with all their departments, having had a near perfect season in IPL 2025 where they ended a 17-year wait to lift the trophy. Barring a few releases – who will be the rare players who underperformed and those who warmed the bench for majority of the season – RCB will be aiming to inflict minimum changes to their current squad. Ahead of the November 15 deadline for the teams to decide on their retentions, let’s take a look at how the list could possibly look like for RCB.

RCB predicted retention list for IPL 2026

Virat Kohli: By no means will RCB even dream of letting go of their most precious player, more so after he amassed 657 runs in IPL 2025.
Rajat Patidar: The captain is here to stay and has made a stellar start to his era by guiding RCB to the trophy and by letting his bat do the talking.
Phil Salt: The England opener proved his worth with his consistency & chemistry with Kohli at the top in IPL 2025 where he amassed 403 runs.

Jitesh Sharma: The designated finisher impressed with a 261-run season in IPL 2025 and is the perfect replacement for Dinesh Karthik.
Krunal Pandya: Easily RCB’s best buy who turned out to be the MVP, having picked 17 wickets and scored 109 runs.
Tim David: Another promising all-rounder who showed glimpses of his ability with the bat in IPL 2025 (187 runs in 12 matches).
Romario Shepherd: Another reliable all-rounder who is not just a power-hitter but also a wicket-taking option.

Devdutt Padkikkal: RCB’s designated number 3 might have missed IPL 2025 due to injury but is going nowhere in the next season.

Jacob Bethell: The young all-rounder had limited opportunities in IPL 2025, having gotten just two games in which he managed to score a half-century too.
Yash Dayal: Although he had picked up just 13 wickets in 15 matches in 2025, the UP bowler is now an integral part of RCB.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar: RCB’s best Indian pacer in IPL 2025, finished with 17 wickets from 15 matches, and will continue to spearhead the pace department.
Josh Hazlewood: The Aussie registered his best-ever IPL season after finishing with 22 wickets to his name and is surely the best bowler for RCB.
Lungi Ngidi: A promising bowler who could be deadly with Hazlewood and managed to pick 4 wickets in the two games he played.
Rasikh Dar: The J&K youngster didn’t have too many games to prove his worth but will stay in RCB.
Suyash Sharma: RCB’s like-for-like replacement for Yuzvendra Chahal managed to get just 8 wickets but showed he is just what the team needs in the future.

Swapnil Singh: He didn’t get a game in IPL 2025 but RCB wouldn’t mind having the all-rounder as a back-up option in their squad.
Nuwan Thushara: RCB will retain the Sri Lankan bowler despite giving him just one game in IPL 2025.
Manoj Bhandage: A Karnataka talent who RCB won’t mind retaining despite giving him one game only.
Swastik Chhikara: Virat Kohli’s hype man is likely to be retained despite warming the bench throughout IPL 2025.
Abhinandan Singh: A youngster who RCB would want to retain as a back-up option.
Mohit Rathee: Another youngster who the team won’t mind retaining.

RCB squad

Rajat Patidar (c), Virat Kohli, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood, Phil Salt, Jitesh Sharma, Liam Livingstone, Rasikh Dar, Suyash Sharma, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Swapnil Singh, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Nuwan Thushara, Manoj Bhandage, Jacob Bethel, Devdutt Padikkal, Swastik Chhikara, Lungi Ngidi, Abhinandan Singh, Mohit Rathee.