The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) retained 17 players ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction. They had released eight players and had as many slots remaining for the auction, including two overseas slots. The biggest priorities for them would’ve been to add pace backups and perhaps a big batter who could challenge Devdutt Padikkal for a place in the side. The first signing for RCB at the IPL 2026 auction proved to be Venkatesh Iyer for Rs 7 crore, who will challenge Padikkal.
Venkatesh Iyer headlines RCB auction
RCB were the losing bid against KKR’s Rs 23.75 at last year’s mega auction. They were hugely interested in the Madhya Pradesh all-rounder and now have finally got him for just Rs 7 crore. Many predicted Venky to go for an expensive amount. However, the defending champions now have a capped batting option, who would preferably slot in at number three. He can bowl as well, an aspect which KKR didn’t use at all.
Having played 5 seasons with KKR, Venkatesh was part of the IPL 2024 winning team and has a total of 1468 runs at a strike rate of 137.32. RCB’s second buy at the auction proved to be a backup for Hazlewood in Jacob Duffy. For those unaware, Duffy is the most succesful international bowler with 72 wickets in this calender year.
Players bought by RCB in IPL 2026 auction
| Player | Country | Type | Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Venkatesh Iyer | India | Batting all-rounder | Rs 7 crore |
| Jacob Duffy | New Zealand | Pacer ✈️ | Rs 2 crore |
| Satvik Deswal | India | All-rounder | Rs 30 L |
| Mangesh Yadav | India | All-rounder | Rs 5.20 Cr |
RCB full squad for IPL 2026
Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Jitesh Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma, Abhinandan Singh, Jacob Bethell, Nuwan Thushara, Rasikh Dar, Swapnil Singh, Venkatesh Iyer, Jacob Duffy
RCB retention list for IPL 2026
Batters retained by RCB
| Player | IPL 2026 price (INR) |
|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | 21 crore |
| Rajat Patidar | 11 crore |
| Phil Salt ✈️ | 11.50 crore |
| Devdutt Padikkal | 2 crore |
| Jacob Bethell ✈️ | 2.60 crore |
| Jitesh Sharma | 11 crore |
| Tim David ✈️ | 3 crore |
All-rounders retained by RCB
| Player | IPL 2026 price (INR) |
|---|---|
| Krunal Pandya | 5.75 crore |
| Romario Shepherd ✈️ | 1.50 crore |
Bowlers retained by RCB
| Player | IPL 2026 price (INR) |
|---|---|
| Josh Hazlewood ✈️ | 12.50 crore |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 10.75 crore |
| Rasikh Dar | 6 crore |
| Yash Dayal | 5 crore |
| Suyash Sharma | 2.60 crore |
| Nuwan Thushara ✈️ | 1.60 crore |
| Swapnil Singh | 50 lakh |
| Abhinandan Singh | 30 lakh |
RCB released Players List before IPL 2026 auction
- Liam Livingstone, Swastik Chikara, Tim Seifert, Manoj Bhandage, Lungi Ngidi, Blessing Muzarabani, Mohit Rathee, Mayank Agarwal
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