Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru will enter the IPL 2026 auction in Abu Dhabi on December 16 with a purse of Rs 16.40 crore. They have retained 17 players from their IPL 2025 title-winning squad and can sign as many as eight players in the upcoming auction. They have two slots available for the overseas players. Here’s a look at the five possible targets for RCB in the IPL 2026 auction.
RCB were interested in signing Venkatesh Iyer last year in the mega auction but failed to do so, and so this time when he will be up for grabs again, RCB are expected to chase him. (Picture Credit: Sportzpics)
Iyer has played 62 IPL matches so far and scored a total of 1468 runs. He also has picked up three wickets. (Picture Credit: BCCI)
Australian all-rounder Cameron Green is another player RCB will be interested in signing in the IPL 2026 auction. (Picture credit: AFP)
Green has played 13 matches in IPL 2024 for RCB and scored 255 runs in addition to taking 10 wickets. (Picture Credit: PTI)
Sri Lankan fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana is also available in the IPL 2026 auction, and RCB will be among the teams interested in securing his services. (Picture Credit: PTI)
Pathirana has dismissed 47 batters in 32 IPL matches played so far. He is one of the top talents up for grabs in the IPL 2026 auction. (Picture Credit: PTI)
Josh Hazlewood was RCB’s premier pacer in IPL 2025, but he has struggled with fitness-related issues in the recent past. In the IPL 2026 auction, RCB owners will look to sign an able replacement for him, and Matt Henry fits the bill. (Picture Credit: AFP)
The Kiwi pacer, who has played for 2 IPL teams in the past and dismissed six batters, has been in red-hot form these days and has impressed with his bowling performances in all three formats. (Picture Credit: AFP)
Uncapped Indian pacer Auqib Nabi is making headlines with his performance in domestic cricket and will be a great addition to RCB’s attack.. (X/@haseebpeer6)
The Jammu and Kashmir-based cricketer has picked up 43 wickets in 34 T20 matches played so far. (Picture Credit: Instagram)
