RCB will look to build another title-lifting squad to win their second-consecutive trophy.
After winning their maiden IPL title, the RCB retention list for IPL 2026 is out. The reigning champions have retained key names like Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jitesh Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, and Phil Salt as they seek to maximise their purse at the IPL 2026 auction. Here’s a breakdown of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru retention list and the RCB released players 2026.
Complete IPL 2026 Retention List, Released Players, and Remaining Purse Status
To defend their title, RCB have retained a strong blend of Indian and overseas stars. However, the management moved on from several high-value, underutilised players to free up auction funds and rebalance the squad. The RCB released players 2026 list includes experienced internationals and uncapped prospects, allowing RCB to enter the auction aggressively.
Ahead of the IPL 2026, here’s a look at the RCB retained players 2026 list for the upcoming season.
| Players | Status | Purse + or – (INR) |
| Virat Kohli | Retained | 21 crore |
| Rajat Patidar | Retained | 11 crore |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | Retained | 10.75 crore |
| Tim David | Retained | 3 crore |
| Krunal Pandya | Retained | 5.75 crore |
| Jitesh Sharma | Retained | 11 crore |
| Phil Salt | Retained | 11.50 crore |
| Josh Hazlewood | Retained | 12.50 crore |
| Yash Dayal | Retained | 5 crore |
| Suyash Sharma | Retained | 2.6 crore |
| Devdutt Padikkal | Retained | 2 crore |
| Swastik Chikara | Released | 30 lakh |
| Jacob Bethell | Retained | 2.60 crore |
| Romario Shepherd | Retained | 1.5 crore |
| Liam Livingstone | Released | 8.75 crore |
| Lungi Ngidi | Released | 1 crore |
| Nuwan Thushara | Retained | 1.60 crore |
| Swapnil Singh | Retained | 50 lakh |
| Abhinandan Singh | Retained | 30 lakh |
| Rasikh Salam Dar | Retained | 6 crore |
| Mohit Rathee | Released | 30 lakh |
| Manoj Bhandage | Released | 30 lakh |
| Mayank Agarwal | Released | 2 crore |
| Tim Seifert | Released | 2 crore |
| Blessing Muzarbani | Released | 75 lakh |
Liam Livingstone, Lungi Ngidi, Tim Seifert, Mohit Rathee, Manoj Bhandage, Mayank Agarwal, Swastik Chikara, and Blessing Muzarbani.
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RCB have retained the majority of their maiden IPL-winning squad. They have let go of players like Liam Livingstone, who didn’t add much value in most of the matches, and Swastik Chikara, who did not play in the last season. Entering the mini auction with a purse value of INR 16.40 crore, the Bengaluru management will look to add backups to their already strong RCB squad 2026.
The starting XI for RCB would look something like Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, and so on. Tim David is a reliable No.5 batter, followed by Jitesh Sharma at No.6 or 7. To further strengthen their middle-order, the RCB target players 2026 could be Cameron Green or David Miller. Both overseas batters have strong credentials and will bring some power-hitting to the table.
For their fast-bowling concerns and to complement the pace attack of Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, RCB could go behind Anrich Nortje or Matt Henry. Both bowlers, who are 30+ years of age, will also bring experience to the RCB squad 2026.
RCB have six overseas players so far, and they can include two more to reach the maximum limit of eight in their 23-member squad.
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Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Jitesh Sharma, Phil Salt, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, Suyash Sharma, Devdutt Padikkal, Jacob Bethell, Romario Shepherd, Nuwan Thusara, Swapnil Singh, Abhinandan Singh, and Rasikh Salam Dar.
Liam Livingstone, Lungi Ngidi, Tim Seifert, Mohit Rathee, Manoj Bhandage, Mayank Agarwal, Swastik Chikara, and Blessing Muzarbani.
Following Liam Livingstone’s departure, RCB will seek a pinch hitter who can take down spin and pace equally well.
After letting go of six players from the squad, RCB are left with INR 16.4 crore before the IPL 2026 auction.
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