“RCB has one of the strongest scouting units” - Dinesh Karthik opens up after IPL 2026 mini-auction

Former Indian keeper-batter and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) mentor Dinesh Karthik has heaped praise on the franchise’s scouting team for their constant efforts to help the team spot incredibly talented youngsters at the IPL 2026 mini-auction.

Advertisment

RCB roped in the services of southpaw batter Vihaan Malhotra, all-rounder Kanishk Chouhan, both of whom are currently a part of India’s squad for the ACC U19 Asia Cup, as well as left-arm wrist-spinner Satvik Deswal.

Moreover, RCB also roped in Maharashtra’s left-arm spinner Vicky Ostwal for his base price and Madhya Pradesh’s Mangesh Yadav, who was acquired for a whopping INR 5.2 Cr at the mini-auction.

“A lot of credit must go to the scouting unit. Now, RCB have one of the strongest scouting units going around in terms of numbers, and we almost try and watch every match that is played anywhere in India,” Dinesh Karthik said.

“Vihaan Malhotra, Kanishk Chauhan right now are part of the India Under-19 squad and doing phenomenally well. Vihaan Malhotra, a left-hander who can really hit a ball, looks like one ready for the future. Kanishk Chauhan, an exceptional player, bats very well in the middle overs,” he added.

“But the key for me, when I look at them, is how well we've identified them as personalities, what they bring to the table. And as I said before, I've enjoyed the amount of input to the scouts here. It's headed by Malolan (Rangarajan), and he has a group of people working under him, all who have played domestic cricket,” he asserted.

“They bring such good, varied, and vast knowledge that it is extremely interesting to see their opinions, at the same time their inputs as to what they're good at, what they can get better at. And that gives us a good picture of who we want to pick,” he stated.

Advertisment

"I've watched all these players in action, and I'm quite excited by the young talent, Satvik Deswal. He is a beautiful story of someone who's been part of a pathway. He's been with us as a net bowler for about two years now. I remember I've played him so much in the nets, and I've seen him grow now, do so well in the Pondicherry Premier League, go to the Under-19s, play the Challengers of the Under-19s, and I really feel he's a good talent to watch out for,” he observed.

“Vihaan and Kanishk will definitely grow into future superstars, there is no doubt. Vicky Ostwal, played the previous U-19 World Cup, has done really well for Maharashtra. I'm looking forward to seeing him in action because he's tall, he feels like a modern-day bowler who understands what it is to do well in T-20 cricket,” he concluded. 

At the IPL 2026 mini-auction, RCB acquired the services of Vihaan Malhotra, Vicky Ostwal, Kanishk Chouhan, Mangesh Yadav, Satvik Deswal, Jordan Cox, Jacob Duffy, and Venkatesh Iyer.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) squad for IPL 2026

Abhinandan Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Devdutt Padikkal, Jacob Bethell*, Jitesh Sharma, Josh Hazlewood*, Krunal Pandya, Nuwan Thushara*, Phil Salt*, Rajat Patidar, Rasikh Dar, Romario Shepherd*, Suyash Sharma, Swapnil Singh, Tim David*, Virat Kohli, Yash Dayal, Venkatesh Iyer*, Mangesh Yadav, Jordan Cox*, Kanishk Chouhan, Vihaan Malhotra, Vicky Ostwal, Satvik Deswal.

*denotes overseas playery.

Stay updated with the latest cricket news, match insights, and exclusive updates at Sky247 India and download the Sky247 app to start betting today!