RCB Retained & Released Players List for IPL 2026 – Full Breakdown

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Thursday released their retained & released players list ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 mini-auction. Since winning their debut title in 2025, RCB’s policy has been to retain a core and keep flexibility to address the holes at the auction. This article provides you with a comprehensive, current and user-friendly take on who stays, who goes — and what RCB’s plans could be.

Why Retention & Release Matters

Before we get to names, let’s back up and take a look at why retention lists are important. Each IPL franchise has to choose which players they wish to “retain” — in other words, keep on their roster — and which they want to “release”, freeing them up for the next auction. These decisions impact:

• The balance in the squad (batters, bowlers, all-rounders)
• Overseas vs Indian player slots
• The rest of the purse
• Freedom to Select New Entrants or Strengthen Weak Departments

For RCB, who just landed their first title win, the retention list is a clear message: (Afghan legspinner) Rashid Khan might have joined, but in general they are going with what worked delivered — while being open to some course correction.

RCB’s 2026 Retained Players – Full List

RCB has retained 17 players for IPL in 2026.

Here’s the complete retained list:

The mix for this team is core experience (Virat Kohli, Bhuvneshwar, Hazlewood), explosive overseas batting (Phil Salt and Tim David) and a lot of youth that can be allowed to grow (Padikkal, Bethell, Suyash Sharma etc.).

Players Released by RCB Ahead of IPL 2026

Though RCB kept a majority of their core, they released quite a few players. The list has a good mix of overseas internationals, Indian domestic players and few up-and-coming talents who haven’t been given enough game time.

Here are the players released:

• Swastik Chikara (Indian)
• Mayank Agarwal (Indian)
• Tim Seifert (New Zealander, wicket-keeper/batsman)
• Liam Livingstone (English all rounder / batter)
• Lungi Ngidi (South African, pace bowler) Traits: South Africa certainly did think of the 22-year-old Lungi as their next genuine fast bowling armoury.
• Blessing Muzarabani (Zimbabwean, bowler)
• Mohit Rathee (Indian, spinner/all-rounder)
• Manoj Bhandage (Indian)

The releases indicate that RCB looked to get rid of some players who either did not perform well on the field or got less chances in the 2025 season.

Financial Picture: Purse and Auction Slots

After retention, RCB going into IPL 2026 auction with ₹16.4 crore purse left.

They also have 8 remaining slots to fill, with 2 of which being overseas players.

They have reasonable room to move, with that money and these slots allowing them some freedom; you would think they could target a type of player (say someone for the weak spin-bowling stocks, or backup allrounders domestically, or another overseas batter).

What RCB’s Strategy Seems to Be

From the retention and release scenarios, there are some handy takeaways for RCB:

• Stay with core: RCB kept a huge chunk of the side that won them the title retention wars, holding on to all their major performers and ensuring there would be experience in their squad.
• Balance of youth + experience:They also held on to the young ’uns (uPadikkal, Suyash, Bethell) and wisey heads (Kohli, Bhuvneshwar, Hazlewood), a roster that promises them current strength and future potential.
• The emphasis would be on building up a bowling depth: With the retention of fast bowlers such as Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar, Yash Dayal and Thushara, or spin/all-rounders such as Rasikh Dar, they appear to wish to have a powerful bowling bench.
• Make things flexible for auction: By releasing some underperforming or backup players, they have more of the purse and slots free to buy new players / change team balance.
• Overseas slot flexibility: Letting go of a few overseas players also leaves space to pick up some impactful ones at auction – say, both a power-hitter and an in-form specialist spinner, or maybe even an aggressive back-up pacer.

Key Names: Who Matters Most

Virat Kohli & Rajat Patidar — The core batsmen

Virat Kohli & Rajat Patidar – The main batsmen ‘ He has to Stop attacks and not Tackle them?!!! #RRvRCB — Sneha (@Shinde25sneha) April 22, 2021 That is what one big ball hitter achieves for you.

Kohli’s batting is the backbone of RCB. He’s an experienced voice who is going to be able to lead for us. He is ably supported by skipper Rajat Patidar in the middle order who stabilises as well attacks. Their retention highlights the confidence RCB has in experienced hands.

Josh Hazlewood & Bhuvneshwar Kumar — Bowling backbone

The bowling side too has a deadly one-two of overseas pacer Josh Hazlewood and Indian veteran Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Hazlewood is more adept at breaking early before Bhuvneshwar comes in one-three later.

All-round talents & utility players — Flexibility for XI

The mix which includes the likes of Krunal Pandya (all-rounder), Phil Salt (explosive batting), Tim David and young guns Jacob Bethell, Devdutt Padikkal provides RCB with options — they can shuffle their playing XI according to the pitch, opposition and strategy.

Youth & bench strength — For long-term balance

Players like Suyash Sharma, Abhinandan Singh and Rasikh Salam Dar are ones to keep in case the players ahead of them do not perform. Not everyone opponent needs to start ever match, but it adds depth and future potential.

What the Released Players Mean — And Possible Gaps

By releasing certain players, RCB has made some clear choices. Let’s look at what it means.

• Overseas All-rounder/Batter slot available — The departure of Liam Livingstone and Tim Seifert means there a slots to fill for overseas batters or all-rounders. This is an option for RCB to go with based on the situation, whether they want a power-hitter or a spinner/pacer.
• Spin/Middle overs bowling depth might need additions – With Rasikh Dar and a few in toe, still RCB might head towards buying a specialist spinner or all-rounder especially for spin conducive conditions.
• Domestic backup batters minimal – Releasing someone like Swastik Chikara and Manoj Bhandage does create a lack of some domestic batting backup — but RCB seem to be confident that the retained Indian batting core (Kohli, Padikkal, Patidar, Jitesh) will get them through.
• Increased dependence on core (risk of overwork) — With the core intact, RCB may over-burden their stars. Injuries or a poor run of form could sting more, as few experienced players are left among the backups.

What Fans and Experts Are Saying

TThe retention decisions have generated huge debate — particularly among RCB enthusiasts. Some fans responded emotionally in social media and on forums:

“Sad to see Livingstone go, but hey we’ve got to back this think tank.”

“Ngidi 1 cr mai tha, to usko retain krlena chaiye the.” [“He was only ₹1 cr — should have been retained.”]

A few of you have concerns about the questions in spin-bowling reserves (particularly if leading overseas seamer Hazlewood isn’t available). Others feel RCB would use the purse and slots to buy important reinforcements in the auction.

All in all a positive mood: the consensus among most fans is that with their core winners and smart buys at auction, RCB can look forward to mounting a title-defence.

What RCB Should Look for in the Auction (Strategic Wishlist)

With the core that’s been retained and their remaining purse/slots, these are things RCB could look at in the 2026 auction:

1. Specialist Spinner (off spin/wrist spin) — Figures to complement otherwise pacers heavy attack with variety in middle overs.
2. Backup Overseas Hitter or All-rounder — A good lower-order hitter or a bowling all rounder to provide options.
3. Indian All-rounder / Utility Bowler — To have Indian balance and as a backup for injuries or rotation.
4. Young Indian Batsman (Middle or Lower order) – To assist and stand by base batsmen, looking for long seasons to come.
5. Another Fast Bowler (Indian/overseas) — With the burden on Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar, one more pacer will be helpful to manage load and fill in case of injuries.

If RCB does a good job in auction in these roles, they could reach the 2026 season with a well-rounded, flexible side.

Possible Risks and What Could Go Wrong

With good planning, however, there may still be some danger:

• Reliance on core players — fatique or injuries could hinder play.
• Foreign slot limit — 2 overseas slots left: This is again a very important factor, if you pick the wrong overseas players it might come back to haunt you.
• Spin department: Unless RCB goes for a quality spinner, spin-heavy or turning pitches might be an issue.
• Auction competition — other purse-holders also have slots; key players may be signed by rivals.
• Defending the title — how much will that pressure players? (Mentally and performance) Expectations will of course be sky high

Read More: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings Timeline/ Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Timeline

Conclusion

The “RCB Retained & Released Players List for IPL 2026” indicates a clear strategy, to retain the winning core, balance and tactical reinforcement. With the retention of 17 players — including veterans, all-rounders, overseas batters and bowlers as well as potential young talent – RCB has built a solid team for the coming season.

The cuts — they include some of the overseas players and fringe youngsters – sound a positive note that the RCB management is being pragmatic, free up purse and slots for players who can make a difference.

If RCB deals cards well in the auction table by picking up some spin, depth and versatile players, they might actually enter IPL 2026 as one of the favourites to defend their crown. Fans and commentators will keep a keen eye.

FAQs – RCB Retained & Released Players List for IPL 2026