1 CSK player RCB wanted to sign in IPL auction [Source: AFP]The Royal Challengers Bengaluru won their maiden IPL title last season as they defeated the Punjab Kings to claim the crown for the first time in 18 years. In the 2025 season, the management had assembled a strong squad, and the rewards were reaped as the team dominated in IPL 2025.RCB’s squad was already settled before the upcoming IPL 2026, and in the mini auction, the team only had to make a couple of minor tweaks to strengthen the team. Just like the IPL 2025 mega auction, the management invested smartly in the mini auction as well, and bought some quality players, including Venkatesh Iyer.Not Venkatesh Iyer, Kartik Sharma was RCB's first choiceHowever, it is interesting to note that the former KKR player was not their first. choice player in the mini auction. The team had a youngster in mind, and RCB was even ready to splash 11 crores on him, and it was none other than CSK’s newest recruit, Kartik Sharma.In the mini auction, it was the Chennai Super Kings, who bagged the youngster as they acquired him for a whopping 14.2 crores, and also bought another young-gun, Prashant Veer, for the same price.With the IPL 2026 season just around the corner, RCB released footage, showcasing that the team was interested in going after Kartik Sharma and were also ready to splash a big amount on him. However, the team management decided that investing in Venkatesh would be a better choice as the Madhya Pradesh batter could be bought at a lower price.Santoshvk18 @269signofff Even RCB wanted to go for Karthik Sharma till 11 cr 🫡 but chose Venky over Karthik. Good decision. Venky, a left hander, can be a good option, and legend Malo chose Venky over Karthik #RCB #IPL2026 Mar 22, 2026, 10:52 AM Initially, the likes of Mo Bobat, Andy Flower, Dinesh Karthik, and others were tilted towards buying Kartik Sharma, but eventually, the team decided they needed a left-handed batter and someone with a bit of experience.Also Read: RCB Players Who Might Flop In IPL 2026Why RCB struck a masterstroke by snubbing Kartik and going after VenkateshRCB saved 7. 2 crores by not investing in Kartik Sharma. The team bought Venkatesh Iyer for 7 crore, and the veteran will offer experience in the batting lineup. Had RCB gone after Kartik, they would have had to burn their entire purse.As talented as Kartik is, he has never played in the IPL, and spending such a hefty amount would have been a gamble on him. Instead, the franchise went after someone who can offer them flexibility and can bat anywhere in the top seven.Venkatesh can be used at number 3 instead of Devdutt Padikkal, and can also play down the order as a finisher, a role that he can fulfil to perfection. Hence, by saving 7.2 crores, the IPL champions played a masterstroke.RCB squad for IPL 2026Rajat Patidar (c), Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Phil Salt, Jitesh Sharma, Krunal Pandya, Swapnil Singh, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Jacob Bethell, Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Nuwan Thushara, Rasikh Salam, Abhinandan Singh, and Suyash Sharma, Venkatesh Iyer, Mangesh Yadav, Jacob Duffy, Satwik Deswal, Jordan Cox, Vihaan Malhotra, Kanishk Chouhan, Vicky Ostwal, Yash Dayal.Also Read: Dinesh Karthik, RCB Confess Of Deliberately Inflating This Player's Price In IPL Auction
