RCB IPL 2026 Auction Purse: Expected Budget & Player Retention Plans

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) had a strong team in IPL 2025, with most areas looking solid. That’s why they don’t need to make too many changes before the IPL 2026 auction. A few small fixes in weak spots should be enough.

Last season, RCB had good players, so many gaps didn’t show up. But next year, other teams will come better prepared. As defending champions, RCB must add a few more quality players. Luckily, there will be some good names available in the auction.

Players Who Didn’t Match Their Price

• Liam Livingstone – Bought for ₹8.75 crore but had a poor season. Averaged only 16 with the bat, strike rate of 133, and just 2 wickets. Too expensive for his returns, so likely to be released.

• Bhuvneshwar Kumar – Cost ₹10.75 crore, took 17 wickets, but wasn’t at his best. At this stage of his career, he looks past his peak and might be too costly to keep.

• Rasikh Salam – Bought for ₹6 crore but didn’t get enough games. A talented bowler, but too expensive to keep as a backup option

Likely Retention List for IPL 2026

RCB already have a stable core, so they won’t release too many. These are the players likely to be kept:

RCB: Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Tim David, Jitesh Sharma, Swastik Chikara, Jacob Bethell, Krunal Pandya, Manoj Bhandage, Romario Shepherd, Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Suyash Sharma, Yash Dayal, Mayank Agarwal

Key Players Who Could Be Released

• Liam Livingstone – Hasn’t delivered in the last two seasons, better to free up his high price tag.

• Bhuvneshwar Kumar – Past his best, leaks runs, and doesn’t play enough competitive cricket anymore.

• Rasikh Salam – High price, fewer chances. Better to release him and use money for stronger backups.

Likely RCB Squad Before IPL 2026 Auction

Retained: Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Tim David, Jitesh Sharma, Swastik Chikara, Jacob Bethell, Krunal Pandya, Manoj Bhandage, Romario Shepherd, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma, Yash Dayal, Mayank Agarwal.

Released: Liam Livingstone, Lungi Ngidi, Tim Seifert, Mohit Rathee, Abhinandan Singh, Rasikh Salam, Swapnil Singh, Nuwan Thushara, Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

Purse Available for Auction

If RCB release the above players, they will free up nearly ₹31.95 crore, giving them a strong purse for the IPL 2026 auction.

Possible Replacements in IPL 2026 Auction

• Cameron Green for Liam Livingstone – A strong all-rounder, reliable in the middle order, and bowls pace. Fits RCB’s needs better.

• Deepak Chahar for Bhuvneshwar Kumar – A solid powerplay bowler who can also bat. A cheaper and younger option than Bhuvi.

• Simarjeet Singh for Rasikh Salam – A cheaper backup pacer who can bowl in powerplay and middle overs.

Current RCB Squad with Prices (IPL 2025)

Before the IPL 2025 auction, RCB retained only Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dayal. They entered the auction with most slots empty but did well with their picks, avoiding overspending on most players.

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