Overview:
For RCB, the real challenge is staying away from the flashy headlines and prioritising players who plug the gaps.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru head into the IPL 2026 mini auction with a strong base and a clear sense of their needs.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru will enter the IPL 2026 auction with 17 retained players, including six overseas options, and INR 16.40 crore in hand. With eight slots left to fill, including two overseas, the focus is on targeting the missing pieces rather than making sweeping changes.
Areas RCB must strengthen in mini-auction
The retention list for Royal Challengers Bengaluru appears well-rounded, with Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, and Rajat Patidar giving a steady top-order foundation. Phil Salt and Jitesh Sharma provide added versatility with their wicketkeeping and explosive roles, while Tim David and Romario Shepherd bolster the lower middle order. The spin department is well-covered with Krunal Pandya, Swapnil Singh, Jacob Bethell, and Suyash Sharma.
Josh Hazlewood, Nuwan Thushara, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal and Rasikh Dar provide depth on paper, though the attack still lacks consistency and certainty. Hazlewood’s workload, Bhuvneshwar’s age, and Thushara’s lack of experience mean RCB still requires an additional high-quality pacer who can bowl both at the start and at the death.
Which brings us to three standout priorities
A top overseas fast bowler to complement Hazlewood and Thushara, with the ability to rotate with them.
A dependable Indian pacer to strengthen the domestic pace options.
An Indian middle-order batter/finisher capable of handling spin, providing flexibility in overseas combinations.
Anrich Nortje is a strong candidate for RCB’s overseas bowling role, bringing 145+ pace and the ability to attack in both the powerplay and middle overs. His aggressive style is a key asset on flat pitches where RCB may need to defend. Although recent injuries have hindered his IPL impact, Nortje is unlikely to spark a bidding war. At INR 4-6 cr, he offers a valuable upgrade to RCB’s attack without taking up much of their budget.
Key Domestic picks: Salman Nizar and Simarjeet Singh
RCB should prioritize value and flexibility in the remainder of the auction. Salman Nizar fills the role of an Indian middle-order finisher. With his left-handed batting and ability against spin, he offers RCB a reliable option at no. 5 or 6, allowing them to finish games and utilize overseas slots for bowlers. This flexibility enables RCB to field Salt alongside two overseas pacers on specific pitches, maintaining balance and stability.
Simarjeet Singh is the type of domestic fast bowler who can subtly enhance a bowling attack. With the ability to take the new ball and bowl aggressive lengths, he provides backup for Bhuvneshwar Kumar and competition for Yash Dayal and Rasikh Salam. In a lengthy season, the ability to rest a senior seamer without upsetting the balance is invaluable, and that’s where Simarjeet’s contribution becomes crucial. Both players are priced within the INR 40 lakhs to INR 1.5 crore bracket, a segment where astute teams often come out on top in the auction.
There will be more high-profile, expensive options, like bringing Wanindu Hasaranga back. He fits perfectly with his wrist spin, middle-overs wickets, lower-order batting, and prior experience with the team. However, Hasaranga is likely to be in the premium price range, potentially reaching INR 8-11 crore in a mini auction. With INR 16.40 crore left, such a significant spend on one player could limit the rest of the squad’s potential.
There is no questioning Prithvi Shaw’s upside as a top-order stroke maker, yet RCB already have their first three and number four sorted with Salt, Padikkal, Kohli and Patidar. Spending around INR 5 to 7 crore on a similar profile when the real gaps are Indian finishing options and pace backup would be luxury, not a necessity.
For RCB, the real challenge is staying away from the flashy headlines and prioritising players who plug the gaps. A Nortje-style overseas quick, a homegrown power hitter like Salman Nizar and a dependable Indian pacer such as Simarjeet Singh. It may not feel glamorous tonight, but those moves matter when April pressure kicks in.