RCB clinched their maiden IPL title in 2025.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) ended their 18-year Indian Premier League (IPL) drought, beating Punjab Kings (PBKS) by six runs in the final at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. RCB had a nearly perfect IPL 2025 season, with almost every player standing up when required. While Bengaluru initially struggled to win at home, the franchise emerged triumphant in every away game. This made RCB the first team in the last 18 seasons to win all of their away games in a season.
However, the upcoming IPL 2026 auction might see a few RCB players moving out to explore better game time and potentially richer contracts. Three players might opt for a better prospect, considering they were not included in the first playing XI. Here are three RCB players who could consider asking for a release ahead of IPL 2026.
Romario Shepherd provided the balance to RCB that the franchise had been seeking for a long time. Shepherd offered power-hitting ability down the order and control with the ball in the middle overs. The right-hand batter amassed 70 runs in three innings, averaging 35, and striking at a whopping 291.66. During the match against Chennai Super Kings, Shepherd recorded the fastest IPL fifty by an RCB batter, smashing a half-century off just 14 balls. His brisk knock proved to be the difference as the hosts won by just two runs. He also bowled crucial overs for RCB, taking six wickets in seven innings, averaging 25.16.
AUSA-W
–
INDA-W
–
AMR
140/3
SVL
139/9
Amaravati Royals beat Simhadri Vizag Lions by 7 wickets
TBW
41/0
KNK
37/7
Tungabhadra Warriors beat Kakinada Kings by 10 wickets (D/L) method
SVL
–
BVB
–
ROR
–
KNK
–
SIN-W
171/4
CAM-W
69/7
Singapore Womens beat Cambodia Women by 102 runs
SIN-W
33/2
CAM-W
32/8
Singapore Womens beat Cambodia Women by 8 wickets
ABF
–
BR
–
SKA
–
TKR
–
ABF
–
SLK
–
WDL
61/2
NDT
138/8
West Delhi Lions beat New Delhi Tigers by 15 runs (D/L) method
CDK
197/7
NDS
182/9
Central Delhi Kings beat North Delhi Strikers by 15 runs
SDS
–
PD
–
SDSW
–
NDSW
–
SWE
200/5
HUN
198/2
Sweden beat Hungary by 5 wickets
HUN
128/5
NOR
129/1
Norway beat Hungary by 9 wickets
NOR
149/8
SWE
150/8
Sweden beat Norway by 2 wickets
HUN
98/6
SWE
99/3
Sweden beat Hungary by 7 wickets
NOR
–
SWE
–
SWE
–
HUN
–
NOR
–
HUN
–
JZ-W
80/5
LL-W
79/3
Jinx Zagreb Women beat Lavender Lionesses Women by 5 wickets
JZ-W
104/5
LL-W
82/4
Jinx Zagreb Women beat Lavender Lionesses Women by 22 runs
JZ-W
87/1
LL-W
86/3
Jinx Zagreb Women beat Lavender Lionesses Women by 9 wickets
JZ-W
83/2
LL-W
82/4
Jinx Zagreb Women beat Lavender Lionesses Women by 8 wickets
JZ-W
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LL-W
–
JZ-W
–
LL-W
–
JZ-W
–
LL-W
–
MID
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YOR
–
KENT
–
LAN
–
SOM
–
BB
–
NOR
–
SUSS
–
GLAM
–
NOT
–
LEI
–
ESS
–
WOR
–
GLO
–
BAN
–
IND
–
Match Called off
SBSCC
79/7
RTZ
78/9
SBS CC beat Royal Trivianz by 3 wickets
KZK
81/2
PCR
78/6
Khan Zalmi Kings beat Phoenix Cricketers by 8 wickets
KRMPS
–
NCMI
–
TCC
–
CEC-A
–
SML
127/5
GBM
93/0
Gulbarga Mystics beat Shivamogga Lions by 10 wickets (VJD method)
MYW
177/10
HBT
86/3
Hubli Tigers beat Mysore Warriors by 7 wickets (D/L) method
MGD
–
BNB
–
MYW
–
SML
–
MAT
172/6
MUT
173/0
Muscat Thunderers beat Majees Titans by 10 wickets
IAI
152/6
ROS
191/6
Royal Oman Stallions beat IAS Invincibles by 39 runs
RNC
119/6
YSG
120/10
Yallah Shabab Giants beat Renaissance Challengers by 1 runs
IAI
–
MAT
–
ROS
–
MUT
–
SLGR
189/4
SLGY
166/8
SLC Greens beat SLC Greys by 23 runs
AUS
173/8
SA
172/7
Australia beat South Africa by 2 wickets
TRR
145/6
SOB
140/4
Trent Rockets won by 4 wickets
OVI
226/4
WEF
143/10
Oval Invincibles beat Welsh Fire by 83 runs
MAO
–
NOS
–
BIP
–
LOS
–
TRW-W
106/10
SBW-W
109/4
Southern Brave Women beat Trent Rockets Women by 6 wickets
OIW-W
150/5
WFW-W
111/10
Oval Invincibles Women beat Welsh Fire Women by 39 runs
MOW-W
–
NOS-W
–
BIP-W
–
LSW-W
–
MR-A
107/1
ACOM
106/9
Melbourne Renegades Academy beat Australian Capital Territory by 9 wickets
MS-A
231/4
HHA
227/3
Melbourne Stars Academy beat Hobart Hurricanes Academy by 6 wickets
PS
111/10
PSA
114/8
Perth Scorchers Academy beat Pakistan Shaheens by 2 wickets
BANA
186/6
NEP
154/7
Bangladesh A beat Nepal by 32 runs
CHK
–
AS-A
–
NTS
–
HHA
–
PSA
–
BANA
–
MEMA
–
KASS
–
However, Shepherd wasn’t part of the first playing XI. The Windies all-rounder replaced out-of-form Liam Livingstone, who had a miserable IPL 2025 season. Additionally, the 30-year-old was roped in by the Royal Challengers on his base price of INR 1.5 crore. But with a growing reputation in franchise leagues across the globe, including Major League Cricket (MLC), Shepherd could spark a bidding war among teams in need of a lower-order power-hitter who can chip in with the ball too.
Another promising all-rounder for England made his debut in all formats within just two months last year. He grabbed the attention of franchises following an exceptional outing during his debut Test series against New Zealand. He earned his maiden IPL contract when RCB roped in the all-rounder for INR 2.60 crores. However, the 21-year-old was underutilised in the RCB setup. He warmed the bench for almost the entire season, getting only two opportunities to feature in the playing XI. While he made an impact with the bat, he didn’t bowl. Bethell scored 67 runs in two innings, including a quick-fire fifty, striking at an impressive 171.79.
But his limited appearances came at the expense of his compatriot Phil Salt’s injury. Since RCB will aim to retain nearly the same core ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, the southpaw might seek better opportunities to play more matches. His ability to contribute in all three aspects – batting, bowling, and fielding – may make him a hot pick in the upcoming auction. His performances at the international level, where he averages 40 with the bat and 27 with the ball, push his case.
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A domestic stalwart with vast experience, Swapnil Singh was ignored, with the RCB management preferring Krunal Pandya ahead of him. After appearing in seven matches in 2024, the southpaw bowling all-rounder didn’t feature in a single game in the IPL 2025 season.
With RCB further preferring the likes of Suyash Sharma and looking to invest in youngsters, the 34-year-old found himself completely sidelined. Swapnil, with his skillset of left-arm orthodox and batting ability, could find a place in other IPL teams. He might not fetch crores, but a base-price bid from other franchises who are exploring spin bowling options could give him the chance to reboot his IPL career.
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