RCB batters in IPL 2026 [Source: @ICC/x]Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) batting has long swung between brilliance and vulnerability, making their top and middle order a constant point of intrigue for fans and viewers. Last year, however, RCB’s entire unit, including its batting contingent, clicked in unison to power the franchise to its long-awaited IPL glory. Looking ahead, the attention now subtly shifts towards the very same individuals, along with other potential stars, who are most likely to shoulder the bulk of the scoring responsibility in the upcoming IPL 2026 season. Here, we take a look at three RCB batters who could emerge as the franchise’s leading run-scorers this year. 1. Virat Kohli When it comes to RCB’s run-scoring prospects, the most obvious name on the list is Virat Kohli. Even during RCB’s victorious IPL 2025 season last year, the legendary batter contributed by aggregating 657 runs in just 15 innings of the tournament at a prolific average of 54.75. Even Kohli’s season strike rate of 144.71 marked one of his highest in any single IPL edition throughout his 18-year-journey. It is worth noting that Kohli has already hauled RCB’s highest number of runs in each of the last two editions of the tournament. Also Read- Virat Kohli Warned Of A Challenging IPL 2026 For RCBSet to enter the IPL 2026 season with a better frame of mind as India’s one-format player, and on the back of a prolific run of form with the bat, the 37-year-old will be aiming to carry that momentum and anchor RCB’s batting line-up.CriterionSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableDataSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableInningsSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table15SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableRunsSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table657SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableAverageSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table54.75SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableStrike rateSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table144.71SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table(Virat Kohli in IPL 2025)Also making his return to competitive cricket after two months, Virat Kohli has plundered eight fifty-plus scores in his last nine innings with the bat, and converted four of them into regal centuries. That purple patch only further underlines the kind of rhythm and authority he currently brings to the crease.2. Devdutt Padikkal Rising star Devdutt Padikkal was ruled out of the business end of the IPL 2025 season due to an injury. However, in the 10 matches he played, the 25-year-old aggregated 247 runs at an explosive strike rate of 150.60.While Padikkal did not register the big scores he would have liked at the top of the order, the Karnataka batter consistently got his side off to a flier on multiple occasions. In search of more substantial returns and in a bid to replicate his IPL 2020 and IPL 2021 heroics, the southpaw will be keen to convert those starts into match-defining innings. His recent domestic form indicates that the elegant left-handed batter might even become RCB’s de facto batting leader in IPL 2026, surpassing even his senior mate Virat Kohli in the process. 3. Jacob Bethell Rising England star Jacob Bethell played just a couple of matches for the RCB in the IPL 2025 season last year. A few days after earning his maiden IPL cap, the youngster bludgeoned 55 off just 33 balls with eight fours and two sixes against the CSK in Bengaluru during his 97-run quick partnership with Virat Kohli. This knock served as an early indication of his ability to adapt and make an impact at the highest level. Bethell also returned to the subcontinental conditions, albeit for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup just last month. In eight innings of the tournament, the 22-year-old clattered 280 runs at an average of 35 and a staggering strike rate of 152.17. One of the most defining moments of the competition occurred through Jacob Bethell, when he blasted a fighting 48-ball 105 against Team India in the second semifinal at the Wankhede Stadium. Given his recent success on Indian surfaces, Bethell will be well-equipped to make an even greater impact for RCB in IPL 2026. Also Read- KKR IPL 2026 Squad Analysis: Predicted Playing XI, SWOT And Expected Finish
