![RCB are the defending IPL champions [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1794283642794_RCBarethedefendingIPLchampions.jpg?type=hq)
RCB are the defending IPL champions [Source: AFP]
Only a week is left before all ten IPL franchises announce their retention list before the mini auction takes place in Goa next month. The focus of this article will be on the two-time defending champions, RCB, as the squad aims to continue the winning juggernaut.
Under the captaincy of Rajat Patidar, RCB has been a formidable team as the Red Army defeated the Punjab Kings to win their maiden title in 2025, and followed it up with a win over the Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2026 final.
RCB has very little to tweak in their squad, and ahead of the retention deadline day, here are the players the franchise could release from their team.
RCB's probable release list ahead of IPL mini auction
1) Jitesh Sharma
Jitesh Sharma was one of the key players for RCB in the IPL 2025, and he played a match-winning knock against the LSG side. However, things drastically changed last season, when he failed to deliver the goods.
He played 16 IPL 2026 matches and scored only 116 runs, with a strike rate of just 122.11. RCB gave him ample chances, but Jitesh couldn’t grab them.
The keeper-batter was bought for a whopping 11 crores, and the franchise can get a younger keeper at a lower price in the IPL auction if they release Jitesh ahead of the deadline day.
2) Mangesh Yadav
In a shocking buy, RCB purchased pacer Mangesh Yadav for a whopping 5.2 crores, and interestingly, he wasn’t even used throughout the season.
The franchise had a stacked bowling attack, and with the emergence of Rasikh Salam Dar, Mangesh wasn’t required in the playing XI. Hence, instead of keeping him for that price, RCB could release him and get him at a lower fee in the mini auction.
3) Josh Hazlewood
Unlike Jitesh, performance might not be the criterion for releasing RCB’s star bowler, Josh Hazlewood. He has been their best bowler for the last two seasons, but according to Cricket Australia, the workload of their players will be carefully managed, keeping in mind The Ashes 2027 and the World Cup in the same year.
Hence, there is a slight possibility that the majority of the Australian players might not play in the IPL 2027. In such a scenario, the franchise might be forced to release him ahead of the mini auction.
4) Yash Dayal
Last season, Yash Dayal was not kept in the RCB squad for the IPL 2026 season, but he also wasn't released by the franchise.
The player had off-field issues after the IPL 2025 season, and as a result, RCB decided not to keep him in their team for the 2026 campaign.
If the same issues continue, there is a good chance that Dayal, who was bought for 5 crores, could be released to bring in a pacer who regularly features in the playing XI.
RCB probable retention list ahead of IPL 2027 mini auction
Rajat Patidar (c), Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Tim David, Jordan Cox, Phil Salt, Krunal Pandya, Venkatesh Iyer, Romario Shepherd, Jacob Bethell, Swapnil Singh, Kanishk Chouhan, Vihaan Malhotra, Satvik Deswal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rasikh Salam Dar, Suyash Sharma, Jacob Duffy, Richard Gleeson, Vicky Ostwal, Abhinandan Singh, Nuwan Thushara
