RCB Team Preview IPL 2026: Full Squad Breakdown, Stats & Season Outlook
Defending champion Royal Challengers Bengaluru enters the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season with its core intact and most bases covered.
Here are the three key areas that could help the Royal Challengers retain their title.
AWAY DOMINANCE
163.72: RCB’s batting strike rate in away matches in IPL 2025
Defending champion Royal Challengers Bengaluru thrived on the road last season, winning every away game. The side’s batting strike rate of 163.72 in these fixtures was the second-best among all teams, behind Punjab Kings.
Phil Salt set the tone with explosive starts, striking at 180.76, while Jitesh Sharma delivered late-innings fireworks at 224.24. Captain Rajat Patidar anchored the middle order, finishing the season with a strike rate of 170.75.
Amid the power-hitting around him, Virat Kohli played the stabilising role, striking at close to 140 while averaging 99.25 in away matches.
NEW-BALL DEPTH
23: Duffy’s PowerPlay wickets in international cricket since 2025
New Zealand seamer Jacob Duffy has taken the most PowerPlay wickets in international cricket among players from Full Member nations since 2025.
RCB has signed him as cover for Josh Hazlewood, who is recovering from injury and may miss the early part of the season. Duffy brings experience, having played 168 matches and taken 189 wickets, including 62 at the international level. His overall economy rate stands at 8.5, while in the PowerPlay he concedes 7.91 runs per over.
POWERPLAY PRECISION
8.73: Best bowling economy in the first six overs in IPL 2025
RCB’s new-ball attack was among the most effective in the tournament. The side conceded the lowest economy rate in the PowerPlay and also picked up the most wickets (27) during the first six overs.
Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar led the charge. Hazlewood conceded just 7.27 runs per over while claiming 10 wickets, while Bhuvneshwar took eight wickets at an economy of 8.03.
THE SQUAD
Head coach: Andy Flower.
Full squad: Rajat Patidar (captain), Virat Kohli, Tim David, Jacob Bethell, Romario Shepherd, Josh Hazlewood, Nuwan Thushara, Devdutt Padikkal, Jitesh Sharma, Krunal Pandya, Rasikh Dar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jordan Cox, Suyash Sharma, Venkatesh Iyer, Swapnil Singh, Jacob Duffy, Kanishk Chouhan, Abhinandan Singh, Mangesh Yadav, Phil Salt, Satvik Deswal, Vicky Ostwal, Vihaan Malhotra.
Published on Mar 25, 2026
