RCB's new reality: A star on the front, a target on the back
The defending champions begin with their core intact but Josh Hazlewood's fitness and middle-overs spin could shape their season
Vibe in one line
After 18 years, the chasers become the chased.
What's changed in 2026
For most of their existence, Royal Challengers Bengaluru lived with the romance of pursuit: chasing big totals, chasing NRR equations, chasing playoff spots, chasing that elusive championship. A lot has changed. They walk into IPL 2026 as the team everyone else wants to knock off the perch.
While the core that carried them to the title - players and coaching staff alike - remains intact, the squad has been subtly refreshed. RCB got Venkatesh Iyer, a player they've long admired, for a cut price of INR 7 crore, adding heft to their Indian batting core. There are other smart signings like Jordan Cox while prospects such as Vihaan Malhotra and Kanishk Chouhan appear to be longer-term investments rather than immediate solutions.
Team Identity
RCB's 2025 triumph was built on depth rather than dependence.
Their Nos. 5 to 8 produced the best combined average (31.45) and strike rate (167.40) in the tournament, a far cry from the days when the burden rested almost entirely on one or two stars at the top. Instead of hoping the headline acts would carry the innings, RCB built a batting order capable of hitting through to the finish, aligning with the demands of modern T20 batting.
Core XII (if all fit)
Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Tim David, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Romario Shepherd/Jacob Bethell, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Dar/Mangesh Yadav
Injury/Availability Watch
Josh Hazlewood hasn't bowled competitively since November 10, with hamstring and Achilles issues ruling him out for a prolonged stretch that included the Ashes and the T20 World Cup. His availability, and durability, could shape RCB's title defence
Director of cricket Mo Bobat confirmed Yash Dayal will play no part in the season.
What they do better than most
Powerplay seam bowling
An attack led by Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar dominated the first six overs last season. RCB's pacers took the most wickets in the Powerplay (25) while also delivering the best strike rate (20.3), lowest economy (8.27) and highest dot-ball percentage (43.7%).
Few teams squeezed the game as effectively before it had properly begun.
A player that changes their ceiling
Again, Josh Hazlewood
For precisely the reasons above. His control of length and disconcerting bounce makes him a difficult proposition in any format - something best captured by Abhishek Sharma, the No.1-ranked T20I batter, after facing him in Melbourne last year: "I haven't seen something like this in T20s."
Without Hazlewood, the drop-off could be significant, especially since backup seamer Jacob Duffy is still finding his feet in these conditions.
What could trip them up
At the risk of overstating it: Hazlewood's absence.
Beyond that lies another lingering concern - spin. Krunal Pandya remains one of the league's great defensive spinners, but wickets from the slow bowlers have been harder to come by. Across the last two IPL seasons, RCB have taken the third-fewest wickets through spin while conceding 8.9 runs per over, the second-worst rate in the tournament over that period.
Expect teams to test the middle overs, particularly against Suyash Sharma.
The one to watch
Jacob Bethell
After what unfolded on March 5, 2026 at the Wankhede Stadium, it may be difficult for RCB to keep him out for long. With only two IPL caps so far, the 22-year-old appears poised to add many more as his meteoric rise gathers pace.
One game to circle
RCB vs CSK will always carry its own theatre. But the season opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad might just be more significant.
RCB will open the season for the first time as champions. But their return to the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium will also carry a note of remembrance, a night where reflection hopefully shares space with celebration.
