IPL 2026: 5 RCB Players who might be released ahead of mini auction

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally won their maiden IPL title in 2025. Under Rajat Patidar’s captaincy, the franchise finally put an end to the 18-year wait. Now, as they head into the 2026 season, expectations and pressure will be higher as they look to defend the crown. 

However, before that, during the mini auction, the franchise might release some players who were part of the title-winning campaign in 2025 but failed to deliver individually. Be it with the bat or ball, their contributions did not match the team’s overall success.  

Here are the 5 RCB Players who might be released ahead of the mini auction 

1. Liam Livingstone

This England all-rounder could be the first name that RCB might offload ahead of the next IPL season. Livingstone was brought in based on his reputation as a fantastic finisher, courtesy of his power-hitting skills, and for his effective spin bowling in the middle overs. 

But throughout the 2025 season, Livingstone failed to live up to expectations, scoring only 112 runs in eight innings and taking just two wickets in five innings.

2. Rasikh Salam Dar

This 25-year-old pacer from Jammu and Kashmir is an exciting prospect. But Rasikh still lacks the consistency required at a stage like the IPL, and that was evident in the 2025 season. RCB showed faith in him by playing him in two games. 

However, in those outings, he conceded 70 runs in six overs at an economy of 11.66, while claiming only one wicket. After that, he did not get another chance as other bowlers proved to be more lethal and consistent. Hence, for Rasikh, there is a high chance of being released by the franchise ahead of the next season.  

3. Nuwan Thushara

Sri Lankan pacer Nuwan Thushara was always seen as a back-up option, considering RCB already had overseas pace bowling choices like Josh Hazlewood and Lungi Ngidi in 2025. As a result, Thushara managed to play only one game, where he claimed one wicket for 26 runs. 

The franchise might now look to release him and search for another experienced or proven overseas option going into the 2026 season.  

4. Mayank Agarwal

Agarwal came into the picture as an injury replacement for Devdutt Padikkal and ended up playing four games in the 2025 season. In those matches, he scored 95 runs, averaging 31.66 with a strike rate of 148.43. 

Those were crucial runs at the business end of the tournament. However, ahead of the 2026 season, it is almost certain that Padikkal will be fit and ready to go for the franchise. Hence, the southpaw batter is likely to be retained, and Agarwal could be released.

5. Lungi Ngidi

This South African pacer picked up four wickets in two games, conceding runs at an economy rate of 10.12. However, Ngidi did not get enough game time as RCB preferred the experienced Indian duo of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yash Dayal, along with overseas pacers Josh Hazlewood and Romario Shepherd. 

Hence, going forward, RCB might release the Protea pacer and look for a more reliable and experienced overseas pace-bowling option.

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