Royal Challengers Bengaluru made history by winning their first IPL title in 2025. After waiting 18 years for their first title, RCB finally made it happen. Being one of the most loved teams in the IPL, RCB will now aim to build a strong team like Mumbai Indians or Chennai Super Kings, who have stayed at the top for years. With IPL 2026 coming closer, RCB will look to fix the issues they had last season and come stronger in the mini-auction. So, How did things go wrong for them in 2025 and which players could boost the team?
Big performances by Kohli, Salt & Patidar helped RCB win the IPL title. Kohli led the team intelligently with 657 runs, Salt (403) and Patidar (312). In bowling Josh Hazlewood picked up 22 wickets while Krunal pandya and Bhuvaneshwar Kumar each picked up 17. RCB led their group in Qualifier 1, restricting Punjab Kings to just 101 in 10 overs. In a thrilling final, RCB posted 190/9 with Kohli scoring 43 and their bowlers limited Punjab Kings to 184/7. Krunal was the standout performer, while Bhuvneshwar impressed with the ball.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru 2025 IPL Squad – Auction Prices and Season Performance
| Player | Sold Price (₹ Cr) | IPL 2025 Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | 21.00 | 657 runs in 15 innings, SR 144.71, 66×4, 19×6 |
| Phil Salt | 11.50 | 403 runs in 13 innings, SR 175.98, 48×4, 22×6 |
| Rajat Patidar | 11.00 | 312 runs in 14 innings, SR 143.78, 25×4, 14×6 |
| Jitesh Sharma | 11.00 | 261 runs in 11 innings, SR 176.35, 24×4, 17×6 |
| Devdutt Padikkal | 2.00 | 247 runs in 10 innings, SR 150.61, 21×4, 14×6 |
| Tim David | 3.00 | 187 runs in 9 innings, SR 185.15, 16×4, 14×6 |
| Liam Livingstone | 8.75 | 112 runs in 8 innings, SR 133.33, 4×4, 9×6 – Bowling: 2 wickets in 5 innings, 54 balls |
| Krunal Pandya | 5.75 | 109 runs in 7 innings, SR 126.74 – Bowling: 17 wickets in 15 matches, 276 balls |
| Mayank Agarwal | 0.50 | 95 runs in 4 innings, SR 148.44, 10×4, 2×6 |
| Romario Shepherd | 1.50 | 70 runs in 3 innings, SR 291.67, 5×4, 7×6 – Bowling: 6 wickets in 7 innings, 84 balls |
| Jacob Bethell | 2.60 | 67 runs in 2 innings, SR 171.79, 9×4, 3×6 |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 10.75 | Bowling: 17 wickets in 14 matches, 312 balls, Best 3/28, Economy 8.2 – Batting: 14 runs, SR 56.00 |
| Yash Dayal | 5.00 | Bowling: 13 wickets in 15 matches, 294 balls – Batting: 4 runs, SR 50.00 |
| Suyash Sharma | 2.60 | Bowling: 8 wickets in 14 matches, 300 balls – Batting: – |
| Nuwan Thushara | 1.60 | Bowling: 1 wicket in 1 match, 24 balls – Batting: – |
| Rasikh Salam | 6.00 | Bowling: 1 wicket in 2 matches, 36 balls – Batting: – |
| Lungi Ngidi | 1.00 | Bowling: 4 wickets in 2 matches, 48 balls – Batting: – |
| Swapnil Singh | 0.50 | No appearances |
| Abhinandan Singh | 0.30 | No appearances |
| Swastik Chikara | 0.30 | No appearances |
| Mohit Rathee | 0.30 | No appearances |
| Manoj Bhandage | 0.30 | 1 run in 1 innings, SR 25.00 |
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Retained Players: Champions Keep Their Core
RCB are keeping most of their championship-winning squad for IPL 2026. Here are the players they’re holding onto:
Star Players (High Salary):
Virat Kohli – ₹15 crores (Top run-scorer with 657 runs)
Josh Hazlewood – ₹12.50 crores (Leading wicket-taker with 22 wickets)
Rajat Patidar – ₹11.75 crores (Championship-winning captain)
Phil Salt – ₹11.50 crores (Explosive opener)
Jitesh Sharma – ₹11.00 crores (Wicket-keeper batsman)
Bhuvneshwar Kumar – ₹10.75 crores (Experienced pacer)
Key All-Rounders & Support:
Krunal Pandya – ₹5.75 crores (Key all-rounder)
Yash Dayal – ₹5.00 crores (Left-arm pacer)
Tim David – ₹3.00 crores (Finishing specialist)
Jacob Bethell – ₹2.60 crores (Young overseas talent)
Squad Depth Players:
- Devdutt Padikkal, Mayank Agarwal, Romario Shepherd, Suyash Sharma, Nuwan Thushara, Swastik Chikara, Manoj Bhandage.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Released Players
| Player Name | Sold Price (₹ Cr) | Why Released |
|---|---|---|
| Liam Livingstone | 8.75 | Poor performance – only 112 runs in 8 innings, Avg 16.0, SR 133.33, 2 wickets in 5 innings |
| Rasikh Salam | 6.00 | Played just 2 matches, took only 1 wicket with economy 11.5 |
| Lungi Ngidi | 1.00 | Limited opportunities – played only 2 games, 4 wickets, 2 runs |
| Swapnil Singh | 0.50 | Didn’t play a single match in the season |
| Mohit Rathee | 0.30 | Limited impact – no appearances |
| Abhinandan Singh | 0.30 | Minor player with very little contribution – no appearances |
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Targeted Players in IPL 2026 Auction
Mohammed Shami
Shami fits perfectly in RCB’s fast bowling lineup. Partnering with Hazlewood, he adds depth and experience, making him a solid backup option.
Sarfaraz Khan
Sarfaraz Khan can boost RCB’s middle order. He plays spin well, keeps the scoreboard ticking and knows how to build an innings under pressure.
Gus Atkinson
Gus Atkinson is a fast bowler who is strong in the death overs. With good speed and accuracy, he can support Hazlewood. His economy rate under 8 in T20s makes him a smart choice for RCB.
Michael Bracewell
Michael Bracewell could replace Liam Livingstone. The New Zealand all-rounder is more consistent with both bat and ball. He can bowl off-spin and also contribute with middle-order hitting.
Ravi Bishnoi (Trade Option)
If Punjab Kings agree to a trade, Ravi Bishnoi can add quality spin to RCB. The leg-spinner has been consistent in the IPL and can partner well with Krunal Pandya in the spin department.
Cameron Green (Trade Option)
Cameron Green would be a great signing if available. The Australian all-rounder can hit big, bowl some pace, and field excellently. He would be a perfect overseas all-rounder for balance in the team.
Venkatesh Iyer
Venkatesh Iyer gives RCB flexibility. He is a left-handed batsman who can also bowl part-time spin. He can play different roles in the batting order, giving captain Rajat Patidar more options.
Lance Morris
Lance Morris is a very fast bowler who can add extra firepower. The young Australian has raw pace and could be developed as a future star alongside Hazlewood.
RCB IPL 2026 Purse & Auction Budget Breakdown
| Budget Category | Amount | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Total Purse for IPL 2026 | ₹125 crores | 100% |
| Money Spent on Retained Players | ₹107.25 crores | 86% |
| Money Saved from Releases | ₹16.85 crores | 13% |
| Available for Auction | ₹16.95 crores | 14% |
IPL 2026 Mini Auction: When and Where It Will Happen?
The retention deadline for IPL 2026 is expected to be in late October 2025, and the mini auction is likely to take place in December 2025 or January 2026. The venue will be in India, most likely Mumbai or Delhi, and it will be conducted as a mini auction, not a mega auction.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Auction Type | Mini Auction |
| Expected Date | December 2025 – January 2026 |
| Venue | Mumbai or Delhi, India |
| Total Purse per Team | ₹125 crores |
| Maximum Players per Team | 25 |
| Retention Deadline | Late October 2025 (dates not yet officially confirmed) |
| Auction Format | Teams buy players to fill remaining slots after retention and release |
ALSO READ: Royal Challengers Bengaluru Team Profile & IPL 2025 Championship Victory
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