IPL 2026: Predicting the strongest playing XI of RCB after retentions

Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s retained core gives them a classic balance in power at the top, smart finishers, and a three-pronged seam attack built for both new-ball control and death-overs heft. 

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Openers Phil Salt and Virat Kohli provide contrasting strengths. Salt’s blitzing power and high strike-rate give the side quick momentum while Kohli remains the anchor who controls the innings and converts starts into big scores throughout 2025.

Devdutt Padikkal and Rajat Patidar slot at 3 and 4 to combine solidity with finishing potential. Padikkal’s red-ball technique and ability to rotate strike suit the role of consolidator, while Patidar produced useful runs in 2025 and can accelerate through the middle overs when required. Jitesh Sharma at 5 offers a reliable finisher who can also keep if needed. He was among the dependable middle-order contributors for RCB last season.

Tim David is the X-factor in the last five overs, with a proven slogger who can clear boundaries at will and take the pressure off the top order. His record of high-impact cameos makes him the ideal No. 6 in a team that values explosive late-order hitting.

Krunal Pandya brings spin-bowling depth and useful lower-order batting. He’s the kind of utility all-rounder who lets captains juggle overseas and Indian combinations without losing balance. The spin department can be led by the part-time options within the XI if conditions demand. RCB’s 2025 strategy often mixed spin with seam as matchups required.

The seam trio of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal and Josh Hazlewood gives RCB variety. Bhuvneshwar remains the seasoned new-ball operator and death-overs specialist, while Hazlewood finished 2025 as a strike leader for the attack. Yash Dayal adds a left-arm option to the attack, while the leg-spin of Suyash would be a core part of the bowling line-up. That blend of experience and youth in the bowling unit mirrors the structure that won RCB crucial matches last season.

Probable playing XI: Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, Tim David, Jitesh Sharma, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Suyash Sharma, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood.

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