Big Indian names and thrilling overseas stars have once again made Royal Challengers Bengaluru one of the strongest IPL 2026 squads around. Royal Challengers Bangalore had an auction strategy as they looked to make their bowling attack and middle-order batting deeper after another IPL season. With some vital retentions like Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dayal, but also many major signings before the new season.
RCB Squad for IPL 2026 With Player Prices
| Player Name | Role | Price |
| Virat Kohli | Batter | ₹21 Crore |
| Rajat Patidar | Batter (Captain) | ₹11 Crore |
| Yash Dayal | Fast Bowler | ₹5 Crore |
| Liam Livingstone | All-Rounder | ₹8.75 Crore |
| Phil Salt | Wicketkeeper-Batter | ₹11.50 Crore |
| Josh Hazlewood | Fast Bowler | ₹12.50 Crore |
| Jitesh Sharma | Wicketkeeper-Batter | ₹11 Crore |
| Tim David | Batter | ₹3 Crore |
| Krunal Pandya | All-Rounder | ₹5.75 Crore |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | Fast Bowler | ₹10.75 Crore |
| Rasikh Salam | Fast Bowler | ₹6 Crore |
| Suyash Sharma | Spinner | ₹2.60 Crore |
| Devdutt Padikkal | Batter | ₹2 Crore |
| Jacob Bethell | All-Rounder | ₹2.60 Crore |
| Romario Shepherd | All-Rounder | ₹1.50 Crore |
| Nuwan Thushara | Fast Bowler | ₹1.60 Crore |
| Swapnil Singh | All-Rounder | ₹50 Lakh |
| Manoj Bhandage | All-Rounder | ₹30 Lakh |
| Swastik Chikara | Batter | ₹30 Lakh |
| Abhinandan Singh | Fast Bowler | ₹30 Lakh |
| Mohit Rathee | Spinner | ₹30 Lakh |
RCB’s most expensive player is still Virat Kohli, as Josh Hazlewood and Phil Salt were among the major players that the franchise bought at the auction, just ahead of IPL 2026.
RCB Captain in IPL 2026
Rajat Patidar to continue captaincy for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2026. Having led the side on several occasions recently, the franchise management has placed unwavering faith in his leadership abilities. More than anything, Patidar’s cool mindset and attacking style of batting is a crucial aspect of RCB’s future plans.
Virat Kohli, back in the dressing room, has been playing a major role with tons of experience for the young guns.
The release of Glenn Maxwell and Mohammed Siraj became one of the biggest talking points before the auction, as both players had played major roles for RCB in previous seasons.
Strongest Playing XI of RCB for IPL 2026
Here is the predicted strongest playing XI for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2026:
| Position | Player |
| Opener | Virat Kohli |
| Opener | Phil Salt |
| No. 3 | Rajat Patidar (Captain) |
| No. 4 | Liam Livingstone |
| No. 5 | Jitesh Sharma |
| No. 6 | Tim David |
| No. 7 | Krunal Pandya |
| No. 8 | Bhuvneshwar Kumar |
| No. 9 | Josh Hazlewood |
| No. 10 | Yash Dayal |
| No. 11 | Suyash Sharma |
Can RCB Win IPL 2026?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru might possess one of the most composed squad in IPL 2026. With a capable and powerful batting order along with veteran bowlers such as Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar to ease the pressure through wickets.
Most fans still feel RCB’s performance, particularly in pressure situations during crucial matches, is going to come down heavily on their middle-order form and death bowling. But, they could become genuine IPL 2026 contenders if their stars perform as well as their younger talents step up.