Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is one of the most popular and followed franchises in the Indian Premier League. RCB, with their star-studded line-ups and aggressive style of cricket, have been a crowd favourite since the inception of the competition in 2008.
RCB still hunts for its first IPL title despite boasting some of the biggest names in cricket over the years. The team has made it to the finals several times but has failed every time. Despite this, they have a passionate fan base and competitive spirit, which has kept them one of the more talked-about teams throughout the tournament.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru are targeting a balanced and competitive team for IPL 2026. With some of the finest international players in their squad, alongside some of India’s finest cricketers, RCB is determined to end the title drought and claim their maiden IPL crown.
RCB Team Full Overview
| Category | Details |
| Captain | Faf du Plessis |
| Head Coach | Andy Flower |
| Home Ground | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
| IPL Titles | 0 |
| Owner | United Spirits (Diageo) |
| Established | 2008 |
RCB play their home matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, known for its high-scoring matches and batting-friendly conditions. The franchise is owned by United Spirits, a subsidiary of Diageo, and has consistently focused on building strong squads with match-winning capabilities.
RCB Squad 2026 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru Players
Below is the updated RCB squad for IPL 2026 based on retentions and auction selections.
| S.No | Player Name | Role | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sanju Samson (C) | WK-Batter | ₹18.00 Cr |
| 2 | Jos Buttler | WK-Batter | ₹15.75 Cr |
| 3 | Yashasvi Jaiswal | Batter | ₹16.00 Cr |
| 4 | Riyan Parag | Batter/All-rounder | ₹8.00 Cr |
| 5 | Shimron Hetmyer | Batter | ₹8.50 Cr |
| 6 | Dhruv Jurel | WK-Batter | ₹7.00 Cr |
| 7 | Rovman Powell | Batter | ₹7.40 Cr |
| 8 | Shubham Dubey | Batter | ₹5.80 Cr |
| 9 | Tom Kohler-Cadmore | Batter | ₹40 L |
| 10 | Ravichandran Ashwin | All-rounder | ₹5.00 Cr |
| 11 | Trent Boult | Bowler | ₹8.00 Cr |
| 12 | Yuzvendra Chahal | Bowler | ₹6.50 Cr |
| 13 | Avesh Khan | Bowler | ₹10.00 Cr |
| 14 | Sandeep Sharma | Bowler | ₹50 L |
| 15 | Prasidh Krishna | Bowler | ₹10.00 Cr |
| 16 | Kuldeep Sen | Bowler | ₹20 L |
| 17 | Navdeep Saini | Bowler | ₹2.60 Cr |
| 18 | Keshav Maharaj | All-rounder | ₹50 L |
| 19 | Donovan Ferreira | All-rounder | ₹50 L |
| 20 | Abid Mushtaq | Bowler | ₹20 L |
RCB’s bowling unit combines pace and spin effectively. Mohammed Siraj leads the attack with his pace and accuracy, while Karn Sharma and Mayank Dagar provide spin options suited for different conditions.
RCB Released Players 2026
Ahead of IPL 2026, Royal Challengers Bengaluru released several players to restructure their squad and improve overall balance.
Released Players List
- Harshal Patel
- Wanindu Hasaranga
- Josh Hazlewood
- Finn Allen
- David Willey
- Siddarth Kaul
- Avinash Singh
These releases allowed RCB to free up budget and bring in players who better fit their strategic requirements.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru – Full History 2008 to 2025
Royal Challengers Bengaluru have had a roller coaster ride in IPL since 2008. This team has consistently featured some of cricket’s greats, like the likes of Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Chris Gayle.
RCB have had some great squads, but haven’t been able to battle for the IPL title. They have been to the finals three times, but never won it.
Over the years, RCB has become a more competitive team with an emphasis on forming a balanced squad and consistency from season to season.
Rise, Dominance & Early Heartbreaks
RCB made it to their maiden IPL final in 2009, cementing their position as a formidable side. They made the finals again in 2011 and 2016, probably the best season ever for our team.
Virat Kohli’s remarkable run in 2016, but the team lost in the final, another heartbreak in its history.
Thrillers, Resurgences, and Ups and Downs
RCB have been involved in a lot of close encounters and high-scoring games. The side has a reputation for batting aggressively and chasing down large targets.
RCB picked themselves up after numerous failures and have become a formidable force in the league. It has been a roller-coaster ride, but they are determined to make it work.
2025 Season – Full Overview
Royal Challengers Bengaluru had a tough 2025 IPL season. The team performed well in several matches but was inconsistent in critical stages of the game.
RCB had a good start to the season, winning crucial matches in the initial stages. But performance in the middle of their innings meant they fell short of top-three finishes.
Despite the struggles, the team still played hard and stayed competitive in every game.
Leadership Changes
The 2025 season will see Faf du Plessis remain captain of RCB. His experience and leadership helped steer the team through tough moments.
Veterans like Virat Kohli and Glenn Maxwell also made good contributions in helping the team.
Performance Breakdown
There were many factors that impacted RCB’s performance in 2025:
- Strong top-order batting performances
- Relying on key batsmen to get the runs
- Inconsistent bowling in death overs
- Fielding lapses in crucial moments
These and other factors led to mixed results this season.
Key Performers
Here are some of the key performers from RCB:
- At the top, Virat Kohli kept on papney runs
- Faf du Plessis offered stability and leadership
- Glenn Maxwell chipped in with bat and ball
- Mohammed Siraj spearheaded the bowling attack with great efficiency
These should have been keepers.
Finishing the Season
RCB brings an end to their 2025 season with some fighting performances in the closing stages. They didn’t finish in the Introducer, but with a few changes, the team seemed to get better.
The last matches showed the potential of the team and established IPL 2026 as a base for IPL.
Updated RCB Performance Table (Including 2025)
| Season | Matches | Wins | Losses | Final Standing | Top Run Scorer | Top Wicket Taker |
| 2009 | 16 | 9 | 7 | Runners-up | Jacques Kallis | Anil Kumble |
| 2011 | 16 | 10 | 6 | Runners-up | Chris Gayle | Sreenath Aravind |
| 2016 | 16 | 9 | 7 | Runners-up | Virat Kohli | Yuzvendra Chahal |
| 2020 | 15 | 7 | 8 | Playoffs | Devdutt Padikkal | Yuzvendra Chahal |
| 2022 | 16 | 9 | 7 | Playoffs | Faf du Plessis | Wanindu Hasaranga |
| 2023 | 14 | 7 | 7 | League Stage | Faf du Plessis | Mohammed Siraj |
| 2025 | 14 | 7 | 7 | League Stage | Virat Kohli | Mohammed Siraj |
FAQs about Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Q1. Has Royal Challengers Bengaluru won the IPL?
No, RCB have not won an IPL title yet, but they have reached the finals three times.
Q2. Who is the captain of RCB in IPL 2026?
Faf du Plessis is expected to continue as the captain of RCB in IPL 2026.
Q3. What is the home stadium of RCB?
RCB play their home matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Q4. Who are the most famous players in RCB history?
Some of the most famous players include Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle, and Faf du Plessis.
Q5. Who are the key players in the RCB squad?
Key players include Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, Glenn Maxwell, Mohammed Siraj, and Cameron Green.
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