What should be RCB’s playing XI come the IPL 2026? There are concerns surrounding the availability of Josh Hazlewood, and they managed to get a few new players in the auction as well. Combination, as always, remains the key, This year, they also managed to get all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer for 7 Cr, who had a forgettable season with KKR last year.
Devdutt Padikkal vs Venkatesh Iyer in RCB
So should he be drafted in the XI straightaway? Former RCB skipper Anil Kumble feels otherwise. As per the legend, the all-rounder might not find a place in the team initially. “Not the starting XI. I don’t think he would be because you would still want the same starting XI,” Kumble said on Star Sports.
“Devdutt Padikkal should play in the XI. He missed out on the last couple of important games for RCB because of injury. He is in outstanding form. So he will certainly take that role of that impact player, Devdutt batting and Suyash Sharma probably bowling,” Kumble further added.
Anil Kumble feels..
When it comes to defending the title, Kumble went on to add, that it might be difficult to repeat, after all. It would be challenge that skipper Rajat Patidar would relish. “He led really well in terms of the usage of resources that he had with the bowling lineup. Ultimately, RCB put together a really strong bowling unit. Their spinners sort of came to the party, and that to me was the differentiation. It will be challenging for him. You have won once. Now you need to win twice,” Kumble observed.
RCB full squad
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, Venkatesh Iyer, Mangesh Yadav, Jacob Duffy, Satwik Deswal, Jordan Cox, Vihaan Malhotra, Kanishk Chouhan, Vicky Ostwal.
