The 19th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 came to a remarkable conclusion, with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defending their title in spectacular fashion.
With this victory, RCB became only the third franchise in IPL history—joining the elite company of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and the Mumbai Indians (MI)—to achieve back-to-back tournament wins. However, the celebrations must now make way for strategic planning as the focus shifts to the IPL 2027 season.
To build a balanced squad capable of securing an unprecedented “three-peat”, the RCB management is set to make key decisions regarding their retention and release list.
Here is an in-depth analysis of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) probable retained and released players list for IPL 2027, highlighting squad changes and auction purse implications.
Should they Retain or Release this player?
RCB Campaign Review: Reclaiming Glory in back-to-back Seasons
After 18 years of heartbreaks and near-misses, Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally broke their silverware drought in 2025 and followed it up with a masterclass in 2026. The key to their consecutive titles lay in a strong, stable core combined with crucial high-impact additions like Venkatesh Iyer and bowler Jacob Duffy.
READ ALSO: Punjab Kings (PBKS) Confirmed Released Players List
Under the leadership of Rajat Patidar, RCB’s IPL 2026 season was a thrilling ride. They started with consecutive wins against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). While they faced a mid-season hiccup with losses to Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants, they bounced back with three consecutive victories. Ultimately, they finished the league stage at the top of the points table with 9 wins from 14 matches, accumulating 18 points before sealing the championship.
| Campaign Metric | IPL 2026 Figures |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 14 |
| Wins | 9 |
| Losses | 5 |
| Points | 18 |
| League Stage Position | 1st (Table Toppers) |
| Championship Status | Winners (Back-to-back Champions) |
High-Profile Players RCB is Likely to Release
Despite their championship-winning campaign, RCB needs to free up purse space and address underperforming slots. Several high-priced players did not meet expectations in the 2026 season and are likely to be released into the auction pool.
1. Jitesh Sharma (INR 11.00 Crore)
Jitesh Sharma was a vital cog in RCB’s middle-order finishing unit during their 2025 campaign, where his explosive hitting and strike rate of 176 earned him an INR 11.00 crore retention contract. However, his form declined drastically in IPL 2026. Over 12 innings, Jitesh could only manage 116 runs with a highest score of just 23, while his strike rate fell to a modest 122. Given the massive ₹11.00 crore chunk he occupies in the purse, the management is highly likely to release him and look for a more consistent wicketkeeper-finisher option at the auction.
2. Yash Dayal (INR 5.00 Crore)
Left-arm pacer Yash Dayal remained on the RCB roster under a contract of ₹5.00 crore, but did not feature in a single match during the 2026 season. Dayal was ruled out of the entire tournament due to legal disputes and external pressures. Releasing him frees up ₹5.00 crore, which will give the franchise crucial financial flexibility to bid for active, match-fit bowlers in the IPL 2027 auction.
3. Suyash Sharma (INR 2.60 Crore)
The 23-year-old leg-spinner was a breakout star for RCB in the 2025 season, prompting the franchise to retain him for ₹2.60 crore. However, in the 2026 season, Suyash struggled to maintain control, taking only 9 wickets in 12 matches while leaking runs at an economy of 9.20. While he remains a talented spinner, the management may decide to release him to look for a more economical domestic spin option.
Should they Retain or Release this player?
4. Romario Shepherd (INR 1.50 Crore)
West Indian all-rounder Romario Shepherd had an inconsistent campaign in IPL 2026. Brought in to provide lower-order hitting and medium-pace depth, Shepherd scored just 83 runs across 7 innings at a strike rate of 125. With the ball, he claimed 7 wickets but was expensive, maintaining an economy rate of 11.92. The RCB management will likely look to replace him with a more reliable overseas all-round finisher.
5. Nuwan Thushara & Richard Gleeson (INR 1.60 Crore each)
Sri Lankan pacer Nuwan Thushara (INR 1.60 Crore) missed out on the tournament, leading the franchise to sign English fast bowler Richard Gleeson (INR 1.60 Crore) as his replacement. However, Gleeson did not get a single match in the starting XI due to squad combinations. Releasing both pacers will free up a total of ₹3.20 crore and open up valuable slots in the overseas lineup.
READ ALSO: Mumbai Indians (MI) Confirmed Release Players for IPL 2027
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Retained Players List
To keep their double-championship momentum going, RCB will retain the core of their playing XI. This includes their key leadership group and key international assets:
- Rajat Patidar (Captain)
- Virat Kohli
- Devdutt Padikkal
- Tim David
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Josh Hazlewood
- Venkatesh Iyer
- Krunal Pandya
- Rasikh Salam
- Jacob Duffy
Summary Table: RCB Probable Retained & Released Players
The table below summarizes the expected player movements for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru ahead of the IPL 2027 auction, detailing player salaries and roles:
| Player Name | Player Role | Salary Price (INR) | Expected Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jitesh Sharma | Wicketkeeper-Batsman | INR 11.00 Crore | Released |
| Yash Dayal | Bowler | INR 5.00 Crore | Released |
| Suyash Sharma | Bowler | INR 2.60 Crore | Released |
| Nuwan Thushara | Bowler | INR 1.60 Crore | Released |
| Richard Gleeson | Bowler | INR 1.60 Crore | Released |
| Romario Shepherd | All-Rounder | INR 1.50 Crore | Released |
| Rajat Patidar | Batsman (Captain) | Retained Core | Retained |
| Virat Kohli | Batsman | Retained Core | Retained |
| Devdutt Padikkal | Batsman | Retained Core | Retained |
| Tim David | Batsman | Retained Core | Retained |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | Bowler | Retained Core | Retained |
| Josh Hazlewood | Bowler | Retained Core | Retained |
Purse Value and Auction Strategy for IPL 2027
By releasing these six underperforming or inactive players, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru will recover a significant sum of ₹23.30 crore back into their auction purse. This provides the management with a robust budget to target specific needs in the upcoming mini-auction.
With ₹23.30 crore back in the bank, RCB’s auction strategy will likely focus on:
- A reliable wicketkeeper-batsman who can play a high-impact finishing role, replacing Jitesh Sharma.
- An overseas all-rounder who can balance the bowling attack and hit big in the final overs.
- A quality backup pacer to provide squad depth and rotational options during the long tournament.
By making these clinical adjustments, RCB aims to fine-tune their championship-winning roster and bid for their third consecutive title in IPL 2027. For official player stats, team rosters, and historical records, fans can check the database on the IPL T20 Official Website.