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Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni [Source: AFP]
As Royal Challengers Bengaluru stand on the cusp of defending their IPL 2025 title and becoming one of the few teams to win consecutive IPL trophies, they have also etched another record by using one of the fewest players in a single IPL season.
The Rajat Patidar-led Royal Challengers Bengaluru side, featuring stars like Virat Kohli, Tim David, Phil Salt, Jacob Bethell, Venkatesh Iyer, among others, have fielded remarkably few players despite having a full squad after the IPL 2026 auction.
Although injuries and other controversies forced RCB to explore multiple options at times, their core squad was so balanced and strong that very few changes were required throughout the season.
The Strong RCB Core Didn’t Require Shuffling
RCB spent a total of ₹124.75 crore to fill all 25 squad slots, including eight overseas players. The most expensive retention was Virat Kohli, who was retained for ₹21 crore and has played every match for RCB throughout the league stage and playoffs leading up to the final.
Although Josh Hazlewood missed some of the initial games, he was the second-most expensive retention and was used effectively by RCB in their IPL campaign.
RCB Use Very Few For IPL 2026
According to statistical data, RCB have used only 16 players in IPL 2026, which ranks joint-third on the list of teams using the fewest players in a single IPL season.
Chennai Super Kings top the list, having used only 14 players in 2015, while Mumbai Indians follow after using 15 players in both 2018 and 2020.
Also Read- Kartik Sharma's Cost Per Run For CSK In IPL 2026
RCB's use of just 16 players from their 25-member squad places them alongside Kolkata Knight Riders' 2018 campaign and Chennai Super Kings' 2021 season.
Fewest players used by a team in an IPL season
- 14 CSK (2015)
- 15 MI (2018 & 2020)
- 16 KKR (2018)/ CSK (2021)/ RCB (2026)
Although RCB had their core sorted with established performers in the playing XI and impact-player roles, the remaining eight to nine players were largely not part of the team's plans.
Players Who Didn’t Make The Cut For RCB’s Playing XI
Moreover, Nuwan Thushara and Yash Dayal were ruled out of the tournament. Thushara failed to obtain the required No Objection Certificate (NOC) after not meeting the minimum fitness benchmark set by Sri Lanka Cricket.
Meanwhile, Yash Dayal was involved in a serious off-field controversy involving legal charges and allegations related to a sexual assault case.
Nevertheless, several players, including Swapnil Singh, Vicky Ostwal, Richard Gleeson, Satvik Deswal, Mangesh Yadav, Vihaan Malhotra, Kanishk Chauhan, and Jordan Cox, did not feature in a single match during RCB's campaign.
Also Read- RCB vs GT IPL 2026 Final Toss Report: Rajat Patidar Wins Crucial Toss; No Phil Salt
RCB Stormed To The Final Dominatingly
This did not slow RCB down in any of their matchups. In fact, they stormed into the playoffs after finishing at the top of the table. RCB played 14 league-stage matches, winning nine of them.
Despite losing their final league match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, they still secured first place in the standings. Their consistent performances throughout the season, coupled with a victory in Qualifier 1, earned them a place in the final, where they now await the opportunity to lift the trophy at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on May 31.
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