The Royal Challengers Bengaluru have had their 18-years-old wait come to an end finally in the IPL 2025 season. But, the job is now even tougher as they look to defend in the title next season. And in this article, we take a look at the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) confirmed XI for Indian Premier League 2026 season.
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru assembled a pretty strong squad in the IPL 2025 Mega Auction. They finished the league phase at 2nd place but went on to beat top of the table Punjab Kings in the final match to win their first ever IPL crown in 18-years. They are one of the founding members of the IPL.
ALSO READ: RCB Target Players List for IPL 2026 Auction
But winning the IPL title is one thing and defending it is another. Only Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings have so far been able to do that and for RCB to repeat that, they will have to bring their A-game for next season.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Confirmed XI for IPL 2026
They have done really well to keep hold of most of the players from last season, which should allow them to build a strong playing XI. So in this article, we have assembled the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) confirmed XI for Indian Premier League 2026 season.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) IPL 2026 Players List
We have listed down below the RCB IPL 2026 players list.
| Players | Role |
|---|---|
| Rajat Patidar | Batter |
| Devdutt Padikkal | Batter |
| Virat Kohli | Batter |
| Phil Salt | WK-Batter |
| Jitesh Sharma | WK-Batter |
| Krunal Pandya | All-Rounder |
| Swapnil Singh | All-Rounder |
| Tim David | All-Rounder |
| Romario Shepherd | All-Rounder |
| Jacob Bethell | All-Rounder |
| Josh Hazlewood | Bowler |
| Rasikh Dar | Bowler |
| Suyash Sharma | Bowler |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | Bowler |
| Nuwan Thushara | Bowler |
| Abhinandan Singh | Bowler |
| Yash Dayal | Bowler |
RCB Top-Order IPL 2026
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will be keeping hold of their championship winning opening duo of Virat Kohli and Phil Salt.
English wicketkeeper batter Phil Salt likes to play aggressive cricket from ball one. In the IPL 2025 season, he scored 403 runs in 13 matches at a strike rate of 175.98.
Meanwhile, former RCB captain Virat Kohli is the opposite of that. Kohli likes to play the traditional way of playing game, preferring to time the ball rather than hit it hard and likes to long innings deep into the innings.
At number three, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) started the season with local lad Devdutt Padikkal playing in that position. When he was injured mid-season, they brought in Mayank Agarwal. But given Padikkal’s retention, he is definitely set to get that slot back in Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) confirmed XI for Indian Premier League 2026.
RCB Middle-Order IPL 2026
RCB captain Rajat Patidar is going to be the big presence in the RCB middle-order in the IPL 2026 edition. Rajat likes to play an aggressive brand of cricket and is actually more suited to number three slot. However, last season, he played at number four so there are more chances that he will play in that same position. However, don’t be surprised if Patidar and Padikkal change their batting position.
Wicketkeeper batter Jitesh Sharma is set to play at number 5 for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) confirmed XI for Indian Premier League 2026 season. Jitesh played a significant role for RCB last season and would be another key player for the side in the IPL 2026.
Australian heavy-hitter Tim David will follow at number six for RCB in the IPL 2026 season. David is not only a heavy-hitter, but he is also a big match winner for the franchise and it would be sensible for him to play lower than this batting slot.
Another heavy-hitter who excelled for RCB last season was Caribbean beast Romario Shepherd. Shepherd is a brute hitter who swings the bat hard at the ball and clears the fence. He is also a very handy bowling option at the disposal for RCB captain in the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) confirmed XI for Indian Premier League 2026.
RCB Bowlers IPL 2026
Krunal Pandya, the left-arm spin bowler would add spin bowling option at number eight in the playing XI. Krunal is a very neat and tidy bowler who bowls very economical spells and manages to take some handy wickets.
Australian experienced pace bowler Josh Hazlewood will be the frontline pace bowler in the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) confirmed XI for Indian Premier League 2026 season. He was their main bowler last season with 22 wickets in 12 matches. He is a very controlled bowler and is very good at bowling at a particular line and length consistently.
Indian medium pace bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar will partner Josh Hazlewood. Just like Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar is a very good bowler with the new ball as well in the death overs. He can swing the new ball both ways and nail yorkers in the death overs.
The number 11 slot remains up for grabs. Ideal Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) would love a spin bowler in this slot and although they have Suyash Sharma, they might look to upgrade on him. Luckily for them, they have more than 16 crore that they can spend on Ravi Bishnoi. Bishnoi is a googly bowler like Sharma but is more controlled and an upgrade over Suyash.
RCB Impact Player IPL 2026
RCB have multiple impact players options. Swapnil Singh would be a great substitute to add some fiery batting down the order while they can sub in Yash Dayal, the India left-arm pacer for the 2nd inning bowling.
RCB Confirmed Playing XI for IPL 2026: Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, Jitesh Sharma, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ravi Bishnoi.
Impact Player: Swapnil Singh/ Yash Dayal
