IPL 2026 RCB Preview: Expected Lineup, Strengths, Weakness and Expectations

After a glorious 2025 campaign, which saw them finally beat the long-term choker tag, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) enter 2026 with a vigour unique for the franchise. They will be defending their title for the first time and have the opportunity to build a legacy upon last year’s success. The squad is very similar to last season, with some interesting upgrades. Yet, the players would be extra motivated to change the narrative around the team once and for all.

Auction and Squad

RCB have largely stuck to the same side that won them their long-eluded trophy. The team will be captained by Rajat Patidar, who’s steadily climbing up as a fan favourite in this franchise of superstars. Significant releases from last year include Liam Livingstone, Lungi Ngidi, and Mayank Agarwal, but most of them would’ve largely played second fiddle if retained. The loss of Ngidi in hindsight might be a somewhat sore one, given Hazlewood’s recent injury struggles. 

Yet, many of their new auction picks are practical. New Zealand’s Jacob Duffy has shown consistency in tough situations internationally and might thrive in seam-friendly conditions, should Chinaswamy comply. Jordan Cox is an experienced backup batter who can fit in anywhere in the top 5. Venky Iyer was probably the highlight pick and would provide valuable experience in the middle order, and competition to Bethell and Paddikkal. 

Mangesh Yadav is also a talent to watch. He’s a young, left-handed pace bowling allrounder, an esteemed find in Indian cricket. Yadav can crank it up to 140s and hit a long ball lower down the order, facts that would’ve greatly contributed to his 5.2 crore price tag.

Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Key Strengths

Bengaluru’s biggest strength is surely its batting. They open with the proven pair of Salt and Kohli, a combination of calm and fury that has worked wonders throughout their history. Each of their batter has an explosive side to them, and guys like Bethell and Patidar are learning how to build long innings well too. RCB can always afford to take 8-9 explosive batters, as many have solid all-round traits too. The lower middle order of Jitesh, Krunal, and Shepherd also played and triumphed in all kinds of batting scenarios for a long time.

The timing of the 2025 win couldn’t have been better. It was the perfect start to a cycle in which RCB can maintain a champion squad with little change. That has benefitted them a lot, with the likes of Bethell, Padikkal, and Shepherd growing in stature since last season. The core has not just been maintained, but enhanced.

RCB also has one of the most experienced Playing XIIs in the league. Kohli has been around since the first season, and the likes of Bhuvi, Hazlewood, Krunal, and Venky Iyer are proven veterans at the top level. Even the younger guys like Rasikh Salam and Padikkal are well accustomed to the IPL limelight. If they play their first-choice lineup regularly, there is little this side can’t achieve.

Also Read: Top 10 Innings in IPL History

Where Can RCB Improve?

For all their batting heavyweights, the bowling lineup is fairly thin. Bhuvi and Hazlewood both are on the wrong side of 35, which is normally when pacers start showing a steady decline in pace and form. Hazlewood’s recent injury concerns are much more serious due to the lack of untested backups.

Duffy was expensive with the ball in Indian conditions in the World Cup, and the Chinaswamy pitch will be similarly perilous. Thushara entered the franchise scene with a lot of promise, but now finds himself out of preference even from Sri Lanka. The domestic pace core doesn’t have much reputation or form behind it either.

Another concern for the bowling attack would be the lack of wicket-taking ability among the spinners. Krunal Pandya had a brilliant 2025, but has largely been a defensive bowler, much like Swapnil Singh. Suyash Sharma has shown promise and venom but tends to be rash. With the pace attack equally flimsy, RCB might struggle to find enough ways to pick wickets in the increasingly highway-like pitches across the league.

Lack of Domestic Stars With International Caps

While the team is laden with experienced domestic players, little of that experience has been translated into international success in recent times. Even though Virat Kohli has retired from two major international formats, he is the only regularly capped Indian player in the side.

While Padikkal and Patidar have earned a few test caps here and there, the likes of Venky Iyer, Jitesh, Bhuvi, and Krunal find themselves far away from the Indian team. Teams with fewer Indian players have historically struggled to maintain an international-standard tempo throughout a full season. The RCB veterans will have to bring out their historic best to compete with the bright young talent of other teams.

RCB’s biggest headache has often been the small boundaries and flat decks of Chinaswamy, which have almost forced them to be reliant on their batting. This season could look very similar unless the likes of Hazlewood, Bhuvi, Pandya, and Shepherd catch form at the right time.

Possible starting XII For RCB in IPL 2026

While there is unlikely to be significant changes to the lineup from last season, Jacob Bethell could be up for a more regular starting berth. The English southpaw has had a breakthrough run of form, becoming the youngest Englishman to score a century in all three formats, all in a span of 6 months.

His brilliant century against India in the T20 World Cup semi-final showed his high ceiling to the world, which RCB can surely capitalise on. They would also hope shots like his cheeky reverse lap to Bumrah would remind the Chinnaswamy crowd of a certain Mr 360 from the not-so-distant past.

Making way for him would be Tim David, who, in all fairness, has also had a remarkable 2025. Unfortunately, he has had much difficulty, especially with short balls, since his return from injury. With Bethell and Romario Shepherd in great touch in the World Cup, the RCB management could take their time with David’s recovery. 

Second Choices and Backups

Another player who could miss out is Venkatesh Iyer. Despite going for a whopping 7 crores in the auction, he would be directly competing with Devdutt Padikkal, who linked up well with Kohli and Patidar last year. Iyer’s poor recent form also doesn’t help his case.

Lastly, Josh Hazlewood’s own post-injury rustiness could be a cause of concern. The Aussie veteran missed the Ashes as well as the World Cup. His injuries have also been more frequent in recent times. The Challengers have Nuwan Thushara and Duffy waiting in the wings, but Hazlewood’s ability to bowl in both powerplay and death would be irreplaceable.

Batting first lineup

Kohli / Salt /Padikkal / Bethell / Patidar(c) / Jitesh (wk) / Krunal / Shepherd / Bhuvi / Hazlewood / Rasikh / Suyash

Players to Watch

Jacob Bethell is a star in the making across formats. He has always had a flairy streak, and definitely passes the eye test. Yet, he has also recently developed the knack of forging big innings and stepping up on major occasions. It should be noted that Bethell is largely a top-order player and is best suited at number 3 or 4, where he has the flexibility to choose his tempo of play. If he is to replace Tim David in the lineup, RCB should be tactful with playing him in the correct position.

Devdutt Padikkal is another player looking to solidify his place at number 3 or 4. Coming into last season, there were major concerns about his compatibility with a strike-rate-focused lineup. He has since proven his utility and ability to switch between gears. This season could be a breakthrough one for him, especially if he can stave off fierce competition from Venkatesh Iyer.

Romario Shepherd has always been touted as a successor to the classic West Indian brand of cricket. Clever pace bowling with a knack for cutters and knuckle balls, and an ability to tonk the ball across boundaries of all sizes, Shepherd can be as exciting as even a Russell or Brathwaite.

The last T20 World Cup was another demonstration of his talents with both bat and ball. It would be a big shame if he isn’t given a regular chance to prove his mettle in this lineup.

Expectations From RCB in 2026

As defending champions, RCB have much to prove. They will look to shrug off the memory of past failures far behind, and build a new, more ruthless legacy of success, akin to their rivals in Chennai and Mumbai. The squad also looks very balanced, and after ages, is not reliant on a few contributors. They should definitely target the playoffs, and would be a frontrunner in the race for the top 2, especially if they shrug off fitness concerns.