RCB Players Who Might Flop In IPL 2026

RCB Cricket Team in IPL [Source: X]

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru squad boasts one of the most formidable names across the IPL 2026 player pool, and among the best of the defending champions reside some bad apples who might not yield the most optimum results this season.

Although form is a temporary thing for a cricketer and a player in general, the IPL is a ruthless platform that doesn’t offer many chances. With massive fights over the Playing XI spots, any tiny mistake could bench a player for the rest of the season.

Yet, there are a few who were roped in or retained despite their horrible patch, as the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) showed faith in them. Let’s take a look at those players who might fail to convert a success for RCB in IPL 2026.

RCB Players Who Might Fail To Make An Impact In IPL 2026

1) Phil Salt

As surprising it might sound, but the very first name on the list is of the explosive firebrand opener of England, Phil Salt, whom RCB retained for a massive amount of 11.5 crore INR.

While he will be a sure-shot starter for the team in the Playing XI as an opener, chances are that he might not be able to replicate his IPL 2024 success.

Phil Salt hasn't been able to find much success in his recent exploits. Playing for England, Salt was a disappointment with the bat in the T20 World Cup 2026, where he managed only 130 runs from his eight outings, while averaging 16.25 at a decent strike rate of 158.54.

Five of his outings ended in single-digit scores, and the previous series against Sri Lanka also didn't go well for him, where he managed to score only 47 runs from two outings. 

His ILT20 stint was also average, given his reputation as a destructive opener, as he averaged only 28.33 while striking at 128.14.

Hence, although a prominent name for RCB, Salt might not be able to find success given his drop in T20 form in recent times.

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2) Venkatesh Iyer

The ex-KKR all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer had his worst IPL season in 2025. Probably, it was the final nail in the coffin for him as he was let go of ahead of the IPL 2026 auction and was roped in by the franchise for 7 crore INR.

In IPL 2025, Iyer managed to score only 142 runs from his 11 appearances, averaging a lowly 20.28 while also having a poor strike rate of 139.21. 

Despite his stature as a key top-order batter for KKR, Venkatesh Iyer failed to bounce back even in the MP T20 2025, where he scored only 26 runs from his two outings.

His Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy stats are also underwhelming, as he managed 211 runs at an average of 26.38 with an unimpressive strike rate of 119.21. The Vijay Hazare Trophy also saw him average 25.14.

This further highlights why Iyer has been in such a lacklustre form. Although the Royal Challengers Bengaluru are likely to stick with their core playing XI, Iyer's place in the initial lineup remains doubtful. 

Hence, even if he gets a chance, he might flop for the team or may not get a place in the playing XI at all.

3) Nuwan Thushara

Sri Lankan pacer Nuwan Thushara might have a tough time in his outings in the IPL. Notably, the bowler appeared in one match in the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2026 series, where he failed to take a wicket and conceded 31 runs, bowling at an economy rate of 15.50.

In the ILT20 2025–26 as well, while playing for the Gulf Giants, he managed to take only four wickets from his five appearances while maintaining an expensive economy rate of 9.68.

Overall, Thushara's recent form has been troublesome, with his IPL performances also not being very impressive. In IPL 2025, he featured in just one match for RCB, where he picked up one wicket but maintained a decent economy rate of 6.50.

With pacers like Rasikh Salam, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Jacob Duffy in the squad, Nuwan Thushara, an overseas option retained by RCB for ₹1.6 crore, will likely remain a secondary backup.

The 31-year-old may find it difficult to break into the core playing XI of the team. However, even if he gets an opportunity as an impact substitute or due to any injury in the primary bowling lineup, the Sri Lankan pacer might struggle to make a significant impact in IPL 2026.

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