All 10 IPL teams unveiled their list of retained and released players on November 15.
IPL 2025 champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) ended their wait for the silverware this year. Rajat Patidar-led side defeated Punjab Kings in the final of the IPL 2025 in a dominating performance throughout the tournament.
Ahead of the deadline for player retention and releases, RCB released their English all-rounder, Liam Livingstone. Livingstone, who was picked for INR 8.75 crore at the 2025 auction, scored 112 runs in eight innings at a strike rate of 133.33 and picked two wickets. The presence of Romario Shepherd and Tim David already gives RCB good options for finishers.
Mayank Agarwak, Swastik Chhikara, Tim Seifert, Manoj Bhandage, Lungi Ngidi, Blessing Muzarabani, and Mohit Rathee were released.
RCB have retained their star players in Virat Kohli, captain Rajat Patidar, and keeper-batter Jitesh Sharma. Phil Salt, Krunal Pandya, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar have also been retained.
List of players retained by RCB before IPL 2026 Auction:
Rajat Patidar (C), Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Phil Salt, Jitesh Sharma, Krunal Pandya, Swapnil Singh, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Jacob Bethell, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Nuwan Thushara, Rasikh Salam, Abhinandan Singh, Suyash Sharma
List of players released by RCB before IPL 2026 Auction:
Liam Livingstone, Swastik Chikara, Mayank Agarwal, Tim Seifert, Manoj Bhandage, Lungi Ngidi, Blessing Muzarabani, Mohit Rathee