Royal Challengers Bengaluru have remained unbeaten so far in the Indian Premier League (IPL 2026) and have stayed afloat despite the absence of their premier bowler, Josh Hazlewood. Despite being without the services of the Australian pacer, who was the highest wicket-getter for the team in the previous season, RCB managed to clinch two wins out of two games played so far. As they head into their 3rd game of IPL 2026, the defending champions are unlikely to make any changes to their playing XI.
Predicted RCB playing XI vs RR
Virat Kohli, Phil Salt✈️, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Tim David✈️, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Romario Shepherd✈️, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jacob Duffy✈️, Abhinandan Singh
Impact Subs: Suyash Sharma, Venkatesh Iyer, Rasikh Salam Dar, Kanishk Chouhan, Jacob Bethell✈️
RCB are expected to function in the same fashion as they did in the previous season – make minimal or no changes to their playing XI unless and until it is a much-needed one. Salt and Kohli, who have scored 54 and 97 runs in two games, will undoubtedly continue as openers in the game against RR. If there was one position that RCB would have thought of in terms of making amends, it would have been the number 3 position.
However, Devdutt Padikkal has solidified his position at number 3, thanks to his 50-run knock against CSK. Therefore, RCB can very well go with the Karnataka batter at number 3 while Venkatesh Iyer, the Rs 7 crore buy, is likely to warm the bench once again. While he will be on the list of impact players, it is highly unlikely that he will be used.
No Hazlewood again
There has been no word on the availability of Josh Hazlewood for the clash against RR. It is all but confirmed that the Australian pacer is set to miss the clash as well, as it was earlier confirmed that while he has joined the RCB camp, he continues to recover from his injuries, and therefore, there is no fixed date for his comeback.
The Australian pacer finished as RCB’s leading wicket-taker in IPL 2025. With 22 wickets from 12 matches, Hazlewood was not only the spearhead of RCB’s pace department but was also their go-to bowler when the team needed wickets. He averaged 17.54 with the ball.
In his absence, RCB’s pace attack – led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar – and comprising of Jacob Duffy and Abhinandan has done well. Abhinandan Singh is likely to get an extended run while Suyash Sharma is expected to be named the impact player for the clash in Guwahati.
RCB squad for IPL 2026
Virat Kohli, Philip Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar(c), Jitesh Sharma(w), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Abhinandan Singh, Jacob Duffy, Suyash Sharma, Jacob Bethell, Rasikh Salam Dar, Kanishk Chouhan, Venkatesh Iyer, Josh Hazlewood, Mangesh Yadav, Swapnil Singh, Jordan Cox, Vicky Ostwal, Vihaan Malhotra, Satvik Deswal
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