Challenegers Lone Warriors (RCB), who won their maiden pair crack back punter have blue now published the list of players retained and released ahead of IPL 2026 auctions. This, in turn, allows RCB to build a fitter squad and also prepare themselves on the purse and strategy front for the next season.
In this article, we will dissect all about RCB’s retention strategy and the released players after so far ahead of the mega auction 2026. We’ll also build in useful tables for reference, and clear explanations that even a casual reader could grasp without working too hard.
What Does Retained and Released Mean in IPL?
Before we move further to the RCB Retained & Released Players List in the IPL 2026, let me tell you what it is?
- Retained Players: Players the team chooses to keep from their squad of the previous season. They do not enter the auction and stay with their former team for the next season.
- Released Players: When a team releases a player from its roster. They are part of the auction pool and can be picked up by any franchise – including RCB.
- Purse Amount: This is the total amount of money a team has in their kitty to spend at the auction after retaining players.
The retained and released list informs fans in looking for a team to perform and what types of personnel might join, and where the squad might be short.
RCB’s Strategy Ahead of IPL 2026
Royal Challegers Bengaluru had a fairytale IPL 2025 season, resulting in their maiden trophy. Having won CPL 2025 last year, the RCB franchise wanted to retain most of their title-winning squad heading into IPL 2026. So then they decided to retain the majority of their core and release a few in order to maintain financial flexibility at the auction.
This shows that RCB intends to build continuity and camaraderie in the team so they can make smart purchases with whatever little money is left in their purse later.
Full List of RCB Retained Players for IPL 2026
Here is the official list of players retained by RCB for IPL 2026. These players will stay with the team and not enter the player auction.
Retained Players Table
| Player Name | Role | Nationality | Price (Retained Amount) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | Batter | Indian | Rs 21 crore |
| Rajat Patidar (C) | Batter | Indian | Rs 11 crore |
| Devdutt Padikkal | Batter | Indian | Rs 2 crore |
| Phil Salt | Wicketkeeper | English | Rs 11.5 crore |
| Jitesh Sharma | Wicketkeeper | Indian | Rs 11 crore |
| Krunal Pandya | All‑Rounder | Indian | Rs 5.75 crore |
| Swapnil Singh | All‑Rounder | Indian | Rs 0.50 crore |
| Tim David | All‑Rounder | Australian | Rs 3 crore |
| Jacob Bethell | All‑Rounder | English | Rs 2.60 crore |
| Josh Hazlewood | Bowler | Australian | Rs 12.50 crore |
| Yash Dayal | Bowler | Indian | Rs 5 crore |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | Bowler | Indian | Rs 10.75 crore |
| Rasikh Salam Dar | Bowler | Indian | Rs 6 crore |
| Abhinandan Singh | Bowler | Indian | Rs 0.30 crore |
| Suyash Sharma | Bowler | Indian | Rs 2.60 crore |
| Additional Bowlers | – | – | – |
Nuwan Thushara and Romario Shepherd have also reported to be in RCB’s retained list, but the official account mentions the 17 players as mentioned above for IPL 2026 retention. IPL+1
This combination shows RCB has retained almost every experienced and match‑winning player from IPL 2025. The retention of Virat Kohli, Phil Salt and Josh Hazlewood gives a decent mix of batting firepower and bowling strength.
Full List of RCB Released Players for IPL 2026
Now, find on the players released by RCB prior to IPL 2026 mini‑auction:
Released Players Table
| Player Name | Role | Nationality |
|---|---|---|
| Swastik Chikara | Batter | Indian |
| Mayank Agarwal | Batter | Indian |
| Tim Seifert | Wicketkeeper | New Zealander |
| Manoj Bhandage | All‑Rounder | Indian |
| Liam Livingstone | All‑Rounder | English |
| Lungi Ngidi | Bowler | South African |
| Blessing Muzarabani | Bowler | Zimbabwean |
| Mohit Rathee | Bowler | Indian |
Now all these players are part of the pool for the IPL 2026 auction. Some may be picked again by RCB, or others in auction bidding and squad requirements.
From the gone list, Liam Livingstone was a big name. He didn’t produce returns in the IPL 2025 season – despite a strong start to his career and he was released by RCB ahead of 2026.
What This Means for RCB’s IPL 2026 Campaign
Strengths in the Retained Squad
- Experienced Batting: Despite Kohli and Rajat Patidar taking charge of the batting, RCB have a strong foundation of experienced players who can amass big totals regularly.
- Wicketkeepers: Phil Salt or Jitesh Sharma, both backups and options to keep wickets if need be.
- All-round Balanced: Krunal Pandya, Tim David and Swapnil Singh lend the side some crucial all‑round balance.
- Strong Bowling: Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yash Dayal’s return gives RCB a strong pace line-up
Areas to Improve
While RCB has retained most of their core players, the team still needs to strengthen in certain areas:
- Spin department : Though the team already has some spinners in their side (Channel Sharma, Mahipal Lomror) RCB could go for some quality spinners at the auction.
- Middle Order Depth: A few bubble busters of middle‑order bashers and could provide insurance in close contests.
- Death Bowling Options: RCB could strengthen the flexibility of its bowling attack by getting more specialists for the death overs.
Since RCB have purse money remaining, they will be active during the IPL 2026 auction to address these voids.
RCB’s Remaining Purse for IPL 2026 Auction
Despite securing the services of 17 players, RCB still has a huge amount of cash remaining for IPL 2026 player auction.
RCB Remaining Purse
- Remaining Purse Amount: ₹16.40 crore
- Slots Available to Fill: 8 (including 2 overseas spots)
This purse allows RCB to enter the auction and bid for premium players, so as to balance their squad across roles.
Final Thoughts: What Fans Can Expect
As the list of RCB Retained & Released players for IPL 2026 suggests, Bangalore have preferred to persist with some of their experienced campaigners instead tearing up the squad. For fans of the franchise, have no fear because most of the favorite players will be seen again and some new faces might also knock on the door during auction.
With a good combination of batsmen, bowler and all‑rounders RCB will be one of the teams to watch out for in IPL 2026 season. Their intelligent utilisation of the purse money, the smart maintenance of their squad core and balance point to that they are thinking not only about immediate success but sustained form over a long term
FAQs About RCB Retained & Released Players List for IPL 2026
Q1. RCB retained how players for IPL 2026?
A. RCB Held 17 players before the IPL 2026 auction. Home
Q2. Which big names were released by RCB?
A. Top names released: Liam Livingstone, Mayank Agarwal, Lungi Ngidi and Tim Seifert are among the players who were released. The Times of India
Q3. How much is RCB’s remaining purse after retention?
A. RCB currently has ₹16.40 crore in their bank to make any changes during the time they go into the auction of IPL 2026. IPL
Q4. Is it possible for RCB to buy the released players?
A. Yes. The players who are released go under the hammer, and RCB or any other team can bid for a player. IPL
Q5. Why do teams let go of players before the auction?
A. Teams cut players in order to maintain their budget, to make room for incoming talent and – especially early on in the pre-season months – to sculpt a balanced roster. IPL
