RCB's strongest XI for IPL 2026: Kohli to open, Padikkal vs Iyer in focus

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) person retained a beardown halfway of 17 players and made targeted additions successful the IPL 2026 mini-auction successful Abu Dhabi. For the archetypal clip successful their history, RCB volition participate an IPL play arsenic defending champions.Here’s a look astatine RCB’s predicted Playing XI and Impact Player for IPL 2026:Virat Kohli: The seasoned batter volition proceed successful his opening relation for RCB, riding connected his red-hot IPL form. Having already crossed the 9000-run milestone, Kohli remains important successful providing assertive starts during the powerplay.Phil Salt: Phil Salt was a cardinal fig successful RCB’s title-winning run past season, consistently giving the squad explosive starts. However, helium could look contention from Jacob Bethell, who impressed successful the T20 World Cup, including a period against India astatine Wankhede.

Devdutt Padikkal: Devdutt Padikkal is expected to play a pivotal relation astatine No. 3, acting arsenic the span betwixt the explosive opening brace and the mediate order. While helium is apt to beryllium the first-choice option, helium volition look contention from Venkatesh Iyer, who was bought for Rs 7 crore successful the auction.Rajat Patidar (C): Rajat Patidar volition proceed arsenic skipper aft starring RCB to their historical maiden IPL title. Alongside his leadership, his interaction arsenic a almighty middle-order batter volition stay captious for the team.

Jitesh Sharma (WK): One of RCB’s unsung heroes, Jitesh Sharma played important knocks past season, including a standout innings against LSG. He volition proceed arsenic wicketkeeper and finisher, supporting Tim David and Romario Shepherd successful the decease overs.Tim David: Tim David volition service arsenic RCB’s superior finisher and little middle-order power-hitter. With a onslaught complaint hovering astir 170-180 successful the decease overs, helium brings stableness and firepower to the team’s finishing efforts.Romario Shepherd: Romario Shepherd’s all-round abilities marque him a cardinal asset. He delivered important performances successful the playoffs past play with some bat and shot and is expected to supply equilibrium erstwhile again.Krunal Pandya: All-rounder Krunal Pandya, who played a cardinal relation successful the IPL 2025 last taking 2 wickets for conscionable 17 runs successful 4 overs. He offers cleanable equilibrium with some bat and ball. Bhuvneshwar Kumar: The “swing king” volition pb RCB’s gait attack, particularly successful the lack of Josh Hazlewood astatine the commencement of the tournament. His powerplay bowling volition beryllium vital.Yash Dayal: Yash Dayal has been a reliable all-phase bowler for RCB successful caller seasons. His relation crossed powerplay, middle, and decease overs volition beryllium important, though concerns stay arsenic helium hasn’t played competitory cricket since IPL 2025 owed to ineligible issues.Jacob Duffy: Jacob Duffy is expected to capable the void near by Josh Hazlewood successful the aboriginal stages of the tournament. His performances with the caller shot volition beryllium important for RCB’s bowling unit.Impact Player: Suyash SharmaSuyash Sharma made a beardown interaction past play with his wicket-taking ability. His enigma rotation makes him a starring campaigner for the Impact Player relation erstwhile again.

Royal Challenger Bengaluru (RCB) predicted playing XI for IPL 2026