Royal Challengers Bengaluru IPL 2026 Squad

About Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Captain	Rajat Patidar
Coach	Andy Flower
Home Ground	M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
IPL Titles	1 (2025)
Founded	2008
Owners	Aditya Birla Group-led consortium (definitive agreement signed; pending BCCI & regulatory approvals)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru are one of the most followed and passionately supported franchises in the IPL, despite enduring years of near-misses before finally winning their maiden title in 2025.
Based at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium – one of the highest-altitude cricket grounds in India, which historically assists the batters – RCB play in red and gold and count Virat Kohli among their most loyal servants.
Their fan base, known as the RCB Army, is among the loudest and most dedicated in the league.

The 2025 title came under Rajat Patidar’s captaincy, ending a 17-year wait and converting years of what had become an almost running joke about the franchise’s inability to win into a moment of enormous catharsis.
Defending the title under coach Andy Flower, RCB enter 2026 as a different kind of team: one carrying the weight of champions rather than underdogs.
Off the pitch, a landmark ownership change is underway: Diageo (United Spirits) has agreed to sell the franchise for $1.78 billion (approximately ₹16,660 crore) to a consortium led by the Aditya Birla Group, alongside the Times of India Group, David Blitzer’s Bolt Ventures, and Blackstone’s BXPE fund. Aryaman Vikram Birla will serve as chairman and Satyan Gajwani (Times of India) as deputy chairman. The deal — which covers both the men’s IPL franchise and the women’s WPL team — is subject to BCCI, IPL Governing Council, and Competition Commission of India approvals.

IPL 2026 Season Preview

RCB are the team to beat in 2026. Virat Kohli, who has been RCB’s beating heart for their entire existence, has called on his teammates to maintain full intensity in training as they prepare to defend the title.
AB de Villiers – now in an advisory capacity – believes RCB’s increased squad depth will ease the burden on Kohli and allow the team to handle conditions across different venues.

Josh Hazlewood – their most dangerous overseas pace bowler – was awaiting medical clearance ahead of the campaign after hamstring and Achilles issues, creating early uncertainty.
Jacob Bethell (England all-rounder) and Romario Shepherd add genuine power-hitting depth, while Phil Salt’s aggressive opening partnership with a top-order batter will be important in the powerplay.
The Chinnaswamy Stadium has also been cleared by the Karnataka government to host IPL 2026 matches, ending uncertainty that had loomed since a 2025 crowd incident near the ground.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths: An “unburdened” Virat Kohli — having finally won the title in 2025, Kohli enters 2026 with a newfound freedom, no longer carrying the weight of an elusive first trophy. RCB now boast a strong Indian core (Patidar, Padikkal, Bethell, Venkatesh Iyer) rather than relying purely on overseas star power — a structural shift that has made them more resilient across different conditions. Versatile all-rounders (Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Jacob Bethell) give the team exceptional tactical flexibility in both batting and bowling.

Weaknesses: Josh Hazlewood’s fitness is an ongoing concern — if he misses significant game time, RCB’s pace attack loses its most dangerous operator and the bowling load falls on unproven options. Phil Salt enters 2026 after a lean run in international cricket, creating uncertainty at the top of the order. Defending champions always carry a target on their back, and RCB’s historically thin bench depth means there is very little room to absorb key injuries.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru History

RCB were one of the original IPL franchises, owned by United Spirits (now Diageo), and have been Virat Kohli’s home for his entire IPL career.
Despite arguably the most star-studded rosters in the tournament’s early years – featuring Kohli, AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle (who scored the fastest IPL century of 30 balls), and various other world-class names – the title proved elusive for 17 years.
They reached three finals (2009, 2011, 2016) without winning, each defeat adding to the narrative of a team that could attract stars but not close out tournaments.

The 2016 season was particularly painful: RCB had one of the most powerful batting line-ups ever assembled in T20 cricket – Kohli, de Villiers, and Gayle – but lost the final to Sunrisers Hyderabad.
A period of rebuilding followed in the early 2020s as RCB moved away from purely star-power signings toward a more balanced, team-first approach.
Under Rajat Patidar’s captaincy in 2025, that transformation finally bore fruit with their first IPL title.

Highs & Lows

Highs: Winning the maiden IPL title in 2025 after 17 seasons. Chris Gayle’s 30-ball century (fastest in IPL history at the time) in 2013. Virat Kohli’s 973-run season in 2016 – the highest ever by a batter in a single IPL season. Three final appearances (2009, 2011, 2016).

Lows: Seventeen years without a title before 2025. Three final defeats. Finishing 8th or lower in multiple seasons (2017, 2019). The 2025 crowd stampede near Chinnaswamy, which temporarily threatened their home ground status.

Key Players to Watch – IPL 2026

• Virat Kohli – The soul of RCB for 18 seasons. With over 8,000 IPL runs and an unmatched ability to anchor or attack as required, Kohli is the most important batter in the squad. His hunger for a second title – and back-to-back championships – is a major motivating force.
• Rajat Patidar – The defending IPL-winning captain. Patidar is an elegant middle-order batter who punishes both pace and spin. His ability to absorb pressure and then accelerate makes him an ideal captain in T20 cricket, though expectations on him are now significantly elevated.
• Phil Salt – England’s explosive wicketkeeper-batter. Salt’s ability to score heavily in the powerplay gives RCB a different dimension at the top of the order, and his international T20 record shows he performs best when given license to attack from ball one.
• Josh Hazlewood – One of the best death bowlers in world cricket. If he clears his fitness concerns, Hazlewood’s ability to bowl yorkers and slower-ball variations under pressure makes him a match-winner, particularly in close finishes.

Season by Season Record

Season	Matches	Wins	Win %	Finish
2008	14	6	42.9	Group Stage
2009	14	9	64.3	Runner-up
2010	14	7	50.0	3rd
2011	16	11	68.8	Runner-up
2012	16	7	43.8	Group Stage
2013	16	9	56.3	Group Stage
2014	14	7	50.0	Group Stage
2015	14	7	50.0	3rd
2016	17	13	76.5	Runner-up
2017	14	5	35.7	Group Stage
2018	14	7	50.0	Group Stage
2019	14	5	35.7	8th
2020	14	7	50.0	Playoffs
2021	14	9	64.3	Playoffs
2022	14	8	57.1	4th
2023	14	7	50.0	Group Stage
2024	14	7	50.0	Playoffs
2025	17	13	76.5	Champions 🏆

Who is the Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain in IPL 2026?

Rajat Patidar is the captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2026. Rajat Patidar was retained to lead the franchise after their recent success. Royal Challengers Bengaluru are the defending champions.

What is the Royal Challengers Bengaluru IPL 2026 squad?

Royal Challengers Bengaluru IPL 2026 squad: Rajat Patidar (captain), Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Krunal Pandya, Venkatesh Iyer, Swapnil Singh. Key overseas players include Phil Salt, Tim David, and Romario Shepherd. Royal Challengers Bengaluru retained 3 players and signed Venkatesh Iyer for ₹7.00 crore.

How many titles has Royal Challengers Bengaluru won in IPL?

Royal Challengers Bengaluru has won 1 IPL title: 2025. They are one of the most heavily followed successful franchises in IPL history.

Which overseas players are in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL 2026 squad?

Royal Challengers Bengaluru overseas players in IPL 2026: Phil Salt (England, Wicketkeeper), Tim David (Australia, Batter), Romario Shepherd (West Indies, All-rounder), Jacob Bethell (England, All-rounder), up to 8 overseas players per squad with max 4 in playing XI.