IPL 2026: Predicting four overseas players RCB might use in their playing XI

Royal Challengers Bengaluru usually back an explosive batting core and a frontline pace plan. Their four overseas slots must therefore cover power, finishing, new-ball teeth and seam/pace balance. If RCB go with Phil Salt, Tim David, Josh Hazlewood and Romario Shepherd in IPL 2026, they get exactly that — a combo that can light up powerplays, patrol the death and win single-overs on their own.

Phil Salt gives RCB a fearsome, quick-start batter at the top. Salt’s recent T20 form, including a record 141* in England that helped power a 304 total, shows he can tear apart powerplays and carry momentum into the middle overs. Salt times and accelerates beautifully, which suits RCB’s intent of hitting hard from ball one. His ability to open and keep the scoreboard moving would relieve pressure on Virat Kohli and provide explosive starts.

Tim David is the quintessential late-over match-winner RCB prize. A proven finisher who also bowls occasional off-spin, David’s franchise record is built on clearing the rope and finishing tight chases. He brings the sort of brute hitting from 25–40 balls that changes T20 games. His presence lets RCB play an extra spinner or seamer, depending on conditions. David’s knack for one-over turnarounds makes him an ideal overseas floater.

Josh Hazlewood supplies the new-ball control and bulk seam overs RCB need, especially on wickets that offer carry. Hazlewood’s Test pedigree covers discipline and accuracy. In limited-overs cricket, he uses consistent lines and occasional cutters to stymie batters. He’s the sort of overseas seamer who eats overs, creates pressure and forces mistakes. Even when not bowling the fastest speeds, Hazlewood’s control is a match-winner.

Romario Shepherd brings the all-round, boundary-clearing element plus seam-up death bowling. Shepherd’s 2025 T20 form showed he can score quickly and chip in with crucial wickets when teams chase. He offers extra muscle in the lower order, and the kind of yorker/cutter mix teams need at the death.

Together, Salt, David, Hazlewood and Shepherd cover RCB’s needs. Selection will depend on pitch maps and opponent match-ups, but that quartet gives RCB tactical flexibility and multiple single-player win options, which is a balanced overseas core for any title run.

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