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Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will begin their campaign in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season with high expectations and a refreshed squad. After finally lifting their maiden IPL trophy last season, the Bengaluru franchise will be eager to continue the winning momentum.
RCB will start their title defense against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28 at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Interestingly, this will be the third consecutive season where RCB will feature in the opening match of the tournament.
With a balanced combination of experienced players, powerful hitters, quality all-rounders, and reliable bowlers, RCB looks well equipped to make another deep run in IPL 2026. Based on squad balance and recent performances, here is an AI-based prediction of RCB’s strongest playing XI.
Last Season’s Finish
Champions
RCB finally ended their long wait for an IPL trophy last season and will now enter the 19th edition of the tournament as defending champions.
RCB Strongest Playing 11 for IPL 2026 (Predicted)
- Virat Kohli
- Phil Salt
- Rajat Patidar (Captain)
- Tim David
- Jitesh Sharma (Wicketkeeper)
- Venkatesh Iyer
- Krunal Pandya
- Romario Shepherd
- Nuwan Thushara / Jacob Duffy
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Suyash Sharma
Impact Player: Devdutt Padikkal
Opening Pair: Virat Kohli & Phil Salt
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RCB is expected to continue with the explosive opening duo of Virat Kohli and Phil Salt. The pair played a key role in the franchise’s title-winning campaign last season.
Kohli’s consistency and experience combined with Salt’s aggressive batting style gives RCB a powerful start in the powerplay overs. While Salt’s recent form has been inconsistent, his ability to dominate bowlers and score quickly remains valuable for the team.
Middle Order: Rajat Patidar, Tim David, Jitesh Sharma
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Captain Rajat Patidar could move up to his preferred No. 3 position this season. Although his previous IPL campaign was relatively quiet, Patidar has proven to be a dependable middle-order batter.
At No. 4, Tim David provides explosive finishing ability and has delivered strong performances in this role in international and franchise cricket.
Jitesh Sharma, who also serves as the team’s wicketkeeper and vice-captain, brings aggression and flexibility to the middle order. His ability to accelerate in the death overs adds significant depth to RCB’s batting lineup.
All-Rounders: Venkatesh Iyer, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd
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RCB strengthened their squad significantly with the addition of Venkatesh Iyer during the IPL 2026 auction. The Madhya Pradesh all-rounder offers versatility with both bat and ball and can adapt to multiple batting positions.
Krunal Pandya adds valuable left-arm spin and useful batting depth in the lower middle order. His experience in IPL conditions makes him a reliable option.
Romario Shepherd completes the trio by providing pace bowling and powerful lower-order hitting. His ability to perform in death overs makes him a crucial player in tight matches.
Also Read: IPL 2026 Team Jerseys: Check Out All 10 Teams New Kits
Pace Attack: Bhuvneshwar Kumar & Yash Dayal Options
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With Josh Hazlewood expected to miss the opening phase of the tournament, RCB may rely on alternative overseas seamers like Nuwan Thushara or Jacob Duffy.
Veteran pacer
Yash Dayal, the left-arm pacer, provides variety and can be effective during the middle overs, especially on batting-friendly surfaces like M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Spin Department: Suyash Sharma
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Suyash Sharma brings mystery spin and unpredictability to the bowling attack. On a high-scoring ground like Chinnaswamy, his variations can be crucial in breaking partnerships and controlling the middle overs.
Alongside him, Krunal Pandya’s left-arm spin provides additional control and balance in the bowling lineup.
Impact Player Option: Devdutt Padikkal
Devdutt Padikkal is expected to be used as the primary Impact Player. The stylish left-handed batter can strengthen the batting lineup depending on match situations and has previously played this role effectively.
RCB IPL 2026 Squad Overview
| Batters | Bowlers | Wicketkeepers | All-rounders |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | Jacob Duffy | Jordan Cox | Venkatesh Iyer |
| Tim David | Vihaan Malhotra | Jitesh Sharma | Satvik Deswal |
| Devdutt Padikkal | Yash Dayal | Phil Salt | Vicky Ostwal |
| Rajat Patidar | Abhinandan Singh | Mangesh Yadav | |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | Kanishk Chouhan | ||
| Swapnil Singh | Jacob Bethell | ||
| Suyash Sharma | Romario Shepherd | ||
| Rasikh Dar Salam | Krunal Pandya | ||
| Josh Hazlewood | |||
| Nuwan Thushara |
Bench Strength & Backup Options
RCB also has strong bench options that provide flexibility during the long tournament.
- Jacob Bethell / Jordan Cox: Backup overseas batters with aggressive batting styles.
- Jacob Duffy / Rasikh Dar Salam: Talented pace options for rotation.
- Vicky Ostwal / Swapnil Singh: Spin backups for varied conditions.
Also Read: IPL 2026: Strongest CSK Playing 11 Prediction (AI Analysis)
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