Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the IPL 2026 defending champions, aim to retain their title under captain Rajat Patidar and head coach Andy Flower.
The team retained a strong core of 17 players post their 2025 triumph and added depth via the mini-auction, focusing on all-round balance and bowling backups.
RCB open their account in the IPL 2026 with a home match at Chinnaswamy against Sunrisers Hyderabad. This season, they will also play two of their home games in Raipur.
RCB boasts a formidable batting lineup with explosive openers Phil Salt and Virat Kohli providing rapid starts. The middle order gains solidity from Venkatesh Iyer, captain Patidar, and finisher Tim David, supported by keepers Jitesh Sharma and all-rounders like Krunal Pandya and Romario Shepherd. Bowling relies on experienced pacers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood (when available), with spin options in Suyash Sharma and emerging talents like Mangesh Yadav.
RCB IPL 2026 Squad
Rajat Patidar (c), Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Jitesh Sharma, Jordan Cox, Venkatesh Iyer, Krunal Pandya, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Jacob Bethell, Swapnil Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, Rasikh Dar, Suyash Sharma, Nuwan Thushara, Abhinandan Singh, Jacob Duffy, Mangesh Yadav, Satvik Deswal, Vicky Ostwal, Vihaan Malhotra, Kanishk Chouhan.
RCB IPL 2026 Full Schedule
Have a look at the full list of RCB fixtures for IPL 2026 which was announced.
- RCB vs SRH on 28th Mar, Bengaluru
- RCB vs CSK on 5th April, Bengaluru.
- RCB vs RR on 10th April, Guwahati.
- RCB vs MI on 12th April, Mumbai.
- RCB vs LSG on 15th April, Bengaluru.
- RCB vs DC on 18th April, Bengaluru.
- RCB vs GT on 24th April, Bengaluru.
- RCB vs DC on 27th April, Delhi.
- RCB vs GT on 30th April, Ahmedabad.
- RCB vs LSG on 7th May, Lucknow.
- RCB vs MI on 10th May, Raipur.
- RCB vs KKR on 13th May, Raipur.
- RCB vs PBKS on 17th May, Dharamshala.
- RCB vs SRH on 22nd May, Hyderabad.
