RCB gives a big surprise to every cricket fans. They were the champions of IPL 2025, but still, they decided to release a total of 8 players from their trophy winning squad. Star players like Mayank Agarwal, Liam Livingston will try their lucks during the upcoming IPL 2026 mini auction. Virat Kohli will continue to play for RCB alongside Rajat Patidar, Jitesh Sharma.
Royal Challengers Bangalore , who won their first IPL title last year , will be looking to defend their title this time around. This task will be difficult for them, as the team’s ownership is about to change and their matches will be played in Pune instead of Bengaluru .
RCB released 8 players
Players like Virat Kohli , Rajat Patidar , and Jitesh Sharma have been retained . However, the team released explosive batsman Liam Livingstone. Lungi Ngidi has also been released.
Full list of retained and released players
retained players
Rajat Patidar (captain), Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Phil Salt, Jitesh Sharma, Krunal Pandya, Swapnil Singh, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Jacob Bethell, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Nuwan Thushara, Rasikh Salam, Abhinandan Singh, Suyash Sharma
Release players
Mayank Agarwal, Swastik Chikara, Tim Seifert, Liam Livingstone, Manoj Bhandage, Lungi Ngidi, Blessing Muzarabani, Mohit Rathi
During mega auctions, the number of players a team can retain is limited. This rule applies to both foreign and Indian players. However, this time, a mini auction is being held, allowing teams to retain as many players as they wish. Despite the flexible rules, franchises will be required to retain 25 players, and each franchise’s purse will be approximately ₹120 crore.
Virat Kohli will continue to be an impact player for the franchise next season. Last season, the team lacked a world-class Indian bowler other than Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Captain Rajat Patidar will be supported by Jitesh Sharma in the batting department.