IPL 2026 retention: RCB's full list of retained players and players' salary

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru too have made their retentions public now with the team retaining most of their players who helped them clinch their maiden IPL title last season.

After a historic IPL 2025 triumph, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have unveiled their list of retained players for IPL 2026, with the focus on strengthening their core while building for the future. The franchise, led by Rajat Patidar, will head into the new season with a mix of experienced campaigners and exciting young talent.

 

Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar Lead the Retained Core

 

At the heart of RCB’s retention strategy are Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar. Kohli, the iconic face of the franchise, remains an integral part of RCB's batting lineup, bringing unmatched experience and leadership qualities. Patidar, who led RCB to their maiden title in 2025, has proven his worth as a dynamic player and will continue to be the anchor of the middle order.

 

 

New Faces and Young Talent Included

 

RCB have also kept hold of promising young talents such as Jitesh Sharma and Suyash Sharma. Jitesh's consistent performances with the bat make him a key figure in the team, while Suyash Sharma’s bowling showed glimpses of brilliance in IPL 2025, despite being relatively inexperienced. The franchise has also backed up-and-coming players like Abhinandan Singh and Rasikh Salam Dar, who will add depth to the squad. 

 

Pace and All-Round Options Strengthened

 

RCB’s bowling attack has been bolstered by the retention of Josh Hazlewood, one of the premier fast bowlers in world cricket, who has been pivotal in the past seasons with his ability to strike early and control the game. All-rounder Krunal Pandya, who added a new dimension to RCB’s lineup, has also been retained, alongside the experienced Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who continues to offer leadership in the pace department. 

Players retained by RCB ahead of IPL 2026 auction
Player	Type	Base Price (INR Cr)	Sold Price (INR Cr)
Virat Kohli	BAT	-	21
Josh Hazlewood	BOWL	2	12.5
Phil Salt	BAT	2	11.5
Rajat Patidar	BAT	-	11
Jitesh Sharma	BAT	1	11
Bhuvneshwar Kumar	BOWL	2	10.75
Rasikh Salam	BOWL	0.3	6
Krunal Pandya	AR	2	5.75
Yash Dayal	BOWL	-	5
Tim David	AR	2	3
Suyash Sharma	BOWL	0.3	2.6
Jacob Bethell	AR	1.25	2.6
Devdutt Padikkal	BAT	2	2
Nuwan Thushara	BOWL	0.75	1.6
Romario Shepherd	AR	1.5	1.5
Swapnil Singh	AR	0.3	0.5
Abhinandan Singh	BOWL	0.3	0.3

 

Key Departures and New Faces on the Horizon

 

Notably, RCB have released Liam Livingstone, their big overseas release, and Lungi Ngidi, who was primarily a reserve player. However, there is optimism surrounding the retention of Yash Dayal, despite his legal challenges and absence from the game recently. RCB management is confident that Dayal will return to full fitness ahead of the new season, adding firepower to their bowling attack.

 

Looking Ahead: A Balanced Squad for IPL 2026

 

With a solid group of retained players, RCB’s strategy for IPL 2026 appears well-rounded. The franchise has retained a balance of explosive batting, strong all-rounders, and experienced bowlers, while also leaving room for fresh additions. As they prepare to defend their maiden IPL title, RCB’s retention decisions set the stage for an exciting season ahead. 

List of players retained by Royal Challengers Bengaluru 

Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Yash Dayal, Phil Salt, Jitesh Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Salam Dar, Suyash Sharma, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Swapnil Singh, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Nuwan Thushara, Jacob Bethell, Devdutt Padikkal, Abhinandan Singh. 

RCB released players
Player name	IPL 2026 team	IPL 2025 team	Current Salary	Previous salary
Liam Livingstone	TBD	RCB	TBD	Rs 8.75 crore
Lungi Ngidi	TBD	RCB	TBD	Rs 1 crore
Swastik Chikara	TBD	RCB	TBD	Rs 30 lakh
Mohit Rathee	TBD	RCB	TBD	Rs 30 lakh
Mayank Agarwal	TBD	RCB	TBD	Came as replacement
Tim Seifert	TBD	RCB	TBD	Came as replacement
Manoj Bhandage	TBD	RCB	TBD	Rs 30 lakh
Blessing Muzarabani	TBD	RCB	TBD	Came as replacement