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Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally have their hands on the prestigious Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy after an 18-year-long wait. Led by Rajat Patidar, the franchise is home to several prominent names in world cricket. From domestic talents stepping up to international stars delivering stellar performances, RCB excelled in all departments this season. However, with success comes even greater responsibility.
The challenge now is to defend the title in what is widely regarded as the toughest T20 league in the world. With multiple franchises gearing up for redemption, retaining the crown will be no easy feat. So far, only two team, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI), have successfully defended their IPL titles, underlining the magnitude of the task ahead. To stay ahead of the curve, RCB must continue to evolve. Smart releases, tactical trades, and sharp auction strategies will be key in building a stronger squad for IPL 2026. With that in mind, let’s take a look at five players RCB could consider releasing ahead of the next season.
Here are 5 players RCB should release:
1. Liam Livingstone
The right-hander explosive all-rounder Liam Livingstone is one of the most expensive buys of RCB this season. Known for his blistering stroke making batting and ability to bowl with a few overs of spin, Livingstone had all the tools to be a game-changer. However, his time with RCB in 2025 proved underwhelming. The Englishman struggled to find rhythm with the bat, often falling early while trying to force the pace. His aggressive style backfired on multiple occasions, leading to poor shot selections in crucial matches. In 10 games, Livingstone only managed to score 112 runs with a poor average of 16, including one half century. In bowling, he was only able to click 2 wickets with in nine overs bowled.
2. Rasikh Dar Salam
The right-arm-fast-medium is Rasikh Dar Salam second in the list. Rasikh was brought in as a domestic pace option to support the main fast bowling unit. However, the young pacer haven’t got many opportunities in a bowling lineup that relied heavily on Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. In the limited chances he got, he failed to make a mark, conceding runs at a high economy rate without picking up key wickets. In the 2025 season, Rasikh played just 2 matches, bowled 6 overs, conceded 70 runs, and picked up only 1 wicket, ending the season with a disappointing bowling average of 70.00 and an economy rate of 11.67.
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3. Lungi Ngidi
Another name on the list is South African pacer Lungi Ngidi, who was acquired by RCB for INR 1 crore at the auction. Known for his pace, clever variations, and ability to operate effectively in the death overs, Ngidi came in with a solid reputation. However, he failed to make a significant impact in the limited opportunities he received this season.. Ngidi featured in just 2 matches, bowling 8 overs and conceding 81 runs while picking up 4 wickets. He finished with an average of 20.25 and an economy rate of 10.13.
4. Mayank Agarwal
After going unsold in the IPL 2025 auction, Mayank Agarwal was brought in as a replacement for the injured Devdutt Padikkal. In the limited chances he got, Mayank delivered a few brief but impactful performances — especially in a crucial match against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). However, with Padikkal expected to return next season, and competition for top-order spots increasing, Mayank may find himself on the release list ahead of IPL 2026. At 34, Mayank doesn’t fit into the long-term vision of a team trying to build a core for the next three to five years.
5. Romario Shephard
West Indian all-rounder Romario Shepherd rounds off the list. The right-arm pacer, known for his explosive hitting and ability to bowl key overs in the middle phase, was picked up by RCB for INR 1.5 crore. While he started the season on a promising note, smashing a record-breaking half-century against CSK, his form dipped significantly after that. Shepherd struggled to maintain consistency with both bat and ball, failing to make a lasting impact. in 10 games, Romario was only able to score 70 runs with 6 wickets.
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