Royal Challengers Bengaluru: RCB does not need to improve its batting in the IPL 2026 mini auction. But, the bowling department needs to be “repaired”. Even if the main bowling core remains the same, experts suggest that the team should add a wicket-taking spinner and a quality Indian pacer to its ranks.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) ended an 18-year wait and clinched the IPL 2025 title. Despite winning the cup by defeating Punjab Kings in the final, there are some weaknesses in the team if they are to win a second consecutive title next season. In particular, the key area RCB needs to focus on before the IPL 2026 mini auction is the bowling department.

Error in bowling depth..

RCB’s batting line-up performed brilliantly in IPL 2025. Players like Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, and Jitesh Sharma performed exceptionally. However, despite the team’s success, there were some serious issues with the bowling unit.

Only one or two of the main bowlers performed exceptionally well. The rest of the bowlers lacked consistency. Seniors Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar had to shoulder the main responsibilities in the team.

RCB bowlers in IPL 2025 (Key stats):

Josh Hazlewood, 22 (wickets taken), 8.77 (economy rate)

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 17 (wickets taken), 9.29 (economy rate)

Yash Dayal, 13 (wickets taken), 9.59 (economy rate)

Suyash Sharma, 8 (wickets taken), 8.84 (economy rate)

Krunal Pandya, 17 (wickets taken), 8.24 (economy rate).

Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar took 39 wickets together. But, the economy rate of the young bowler Yash Dayal (13 wickets) is high. Meanwhile, the team’s main spinner Suyash Sharma (8 wickets) is only a ‘defensive bowler’ who restricts runs and has failed to take key wickets. With this, the two pacers who are over 30 years old have performed better than the young players.

RCB’s biggest flaw is the lack of a quality bowler to stand alongside Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar.

What should RCB’s game plan be in the mini auction?

Franchises do not release a large number of players in the mini auction. However, RCB is expected to make some key changes. RCB may also release Rasikh Salamdar, who has performed poorly, and Yash Dayal, who has been involved in off-field controversies.

Hunt for an Indian pacer: If Rasikh and Yash Dayal are released, it is imperative to bring in a quality Indian pacer who can excel as the third pacer alongside Bhuvi and Hazlewood.

Wicket-taking spinner: Suyash has a good bowling but lacks the ability to take wickets. Ever since Yuzvendra Chahal left the team, RCB has not found a wicket-taking spinner. It is very important to buy an attacking spinner who can take wickets in this mini auction to increase the pressure on strong opponents.

RCB does not need to improve its batting in the IPL 2026 mini auction. But, the bowling department needs to be “repaired”. Even if the main bowling core remains the same, experts suggest that the team should add a wicket-taking spinner and a quality Indian pacer to their ranks.