Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Squad 2026: Can the Defending Champions Retain Their Glory?
Remember when Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally lifted the IPL trophy after 18 long years of heartbreak? That magical 2025 moment changed everything—not just for the franchise, but for every Indian cricket fan who had waited since 2008. Now comes the toughest test: defending that title in 2026.
Here’s the thing—defending an IPL championship is harder than winning it. Every opponent studies your playbook, and you cannot afford to lose momentum. So what’s RCB’s game plan for 2026? We’ve analyzed their complete squad, the new signings, and the strategy behind every decision. If you’re a cricket fan or someone who loves tracking IPL action on Lotus365, this breakdown will tell you everything you need to know.
The question isn’t whether RCB can win again—it’s whether they’ve built the right team to do it.
Table of Contents
RCB 2026: The Core Team – What Stayed, What Changed
When champions like RCB head into the auction, they face a choice: panic rebuild or stick with the blueprint that worked. RCB chose wisdom. They retained 17 of their 25-player squad, keeping the spine intact while adding targeted reinforcements.
The Retained Players: Your Championship Core
Think of the 2025 champions as a foundation. Virat Kohli, the franchise icon, remains the backbone. His 657 runs in 2025 proved he’s far from done. Rajat Patidar, now captain for 2026, led the team through the final with measured composure. The batting triumvirate of Phil Salt, Jitesh Sharma, and Tim David ensures that no matter who the opposition bowlers target, RCB has answers.
On the bowling front, Josh Hazlewood (22 wickets in 2025) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar form the pace spearhead. Krunal Pandya and Romario Shepherd provide all-round value, which is why RCB never feels one-dimensional.
New Signings: The Strategic Additions
RCB’s auction strategy revealed their priorities:
The Venkatesh Iyer purchase for Rs 7 crore tells the story. RCB didn’t overpay for a flashy name—they paid for a player who solves two problems: another reliable Indian batsman and a seam-bowling option. This is the kind of practical decision-making that won them the title.
RCB 2026 Squad Strength: Where They Dominate
Strong batting order with multiple scorers: In 2025, five RCB batsmen crossed 300 runs each. This year, with the retained core plus Venkatesh Iyer, that depth only improves. Rajat Patidar’s strike rate of 143.77 in 2025 shows the team values aggressive intent. Virat Kohli’s 600+ runs in the last three seasons proves consistency.
Bowling balance that won them the title: Josh Hazlewood’s 22 wickets weren’t luck—they were the result of consistent execution. Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s powerplay excellence and the variety provided by Krunal Pandya mean opposition batsmen face different challenges every over.
Leadership that knows how to win: Rajat Patidar captained RCB to their first title. He’s not a celebrity captain trying to find his feet—he’s a leader who’s already won the only prize that matters. That experience is invaluable.
RCB 2026 Weaknesses: The Real Concerns
No team is perfect, and RCB’s problems are real.
Fast bowling depth remains fragile: Josh Hazlewood’s injury history is a concern. What happens if he’s sidelined for a month? Yash Dayal hasn’t played competitive cricket since the 2025 IPL. That’s a red flag. Jacob Duffy and Mangesh Yadav are quality additions, but they lack IPL experience. In knockout matches, you want bowlers who’ve been battle-tested.
Missing a match-winning spinner: RCB released Liam Livingstone (Rs 8.75 crore in 2025) to create auction flexibility, but this freed up overseas slot leaves them dependent on Suyash Sharma for wrist-spin options. On turning pitches—think Bengaluru in late April—this could hurt.
Thin middle-order for plan B: If the top order fails, does RCB have a dependable No. 6 or No. 7? Tim David is a finisher, not a stabilizer. This is where Livingstone’s absence stings.
Why Virat Kohli’s 2026 Season Matters More Than You Think
Virat Kohli needs just 339 runs to become the first batter ever to touch 9,000 IPL runs. Think about that. A batter who started the IPL in 2008 is about to achieve a milestone that defines an entire era of cricket.
But here’s why it matters for RCB’s title defense: When Kohli’s focused on personal milestones, teams win. In 2025, his 657 runs came at a responsibility-sharing moment—the team had other scorers. In 2026, expect Kohli to take on a different role: the anchor who ensures that no matter how the match evolves, RCB has a constant threat.
For Lotus365 bettors, Kohli’s consistency is bankable. Three consecutive seasons of 600+ runs isn’t coincidence—it’s mastery.
Defending Champions Strategy: Can RCB Keep the Crown?
RCB’s playbook for 2026 has three pillars:
- Minimize tinkering with the title-winning XI: The 2025 squad worked. So RCB retained most of them. This reduces the risk of new combinations failing under pressure.
- Add specialized depth, not marquee names: Venkatesh Iyer, Mangesh Yadav, and Jacob Duffy aren’t household names, but they solve specific problems. That’s championship-level thinking.
- Leverage leadership experience: Rajat Patidar knows how to win IPL knockouts. That’s worth millions in auction currency but cannot be purchased.
The real test: Can RCB maintain consistency over an entire season? Champions don’t get second chances if they stumble early. Every team in 2026 has studied RCB’s game. Every opposition captain knows their patterns. RCB’s job is to evolve while staying true to what worked.
How to Track RCB’s 2026 Journey on Lotus365
If you’re an IPL betting enthusiast, Lotus365 offers the perfect platform to follow RCB’s defense in real-time. Here’s how Lotus365 IPL betting enhances your cricket watching:
- Match predictions: Before every RCB game, place bets on match winners, top batsman, or highest wicket-taker
- Live in-game markets: As RCB bats, place live bets on boundary count, run predictions for next over
- Custom betting: Create your own bets—will Virat Kohli score a century this match? Will Josh Hazlewood take 2+ wickets?
- Bonus features: Daily cashback on losses, bet multipliers during playoffs, free bets on major RCB matches
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FAQS – Lotus365 IPL(RCB)
Will Rajat Patidar’s captaincy hurt his batting?
No. Patidar already captained Madhya Pradesh in domestic tournaments and performed well. His calm demeanor suits IPL pressure. Plus, RCB won the 2025 title with him as captain, so that ship has sailed.
Is Josh Hazlewood fit for the entire season?
That’s RCB’s biggest concern. Hazlewood’s injury history is documented. However, Jacob Duffy and Mangesh Yadav are quality backups—not elite, but capable of delivering when needed.
Why did RCB release Liam Livingstone?
To create auction flexibility and funds. Livingstone didn’t consistently justify his Rs 8.75 crore price in 2025. Releasing him freed up an overseas slot and Rs 5+ crore for targeted signings.
Can Virat Kohli reach 9,000 IPL runs in 2026?
Absolutely. He needs just 339 runs. Even if RCB plays just 8-10 league matches before knockouts, Kohli will achieve it. It’s as good as done.
