The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are coming off their best season in Indian Premier League (IPL) history. Following their first triumph, the reigning champions will be eager to make winning a habit.
Bengaluru received significant contributions from the majority of their players, and while squad depth was not one of their strengths, they did well to develop a world-class core across numerous areas. RCB will not want to shake things up too much after putting their trust in a strong set of players who delivered under difficult circumstances.
On that topic, here are three players whom RCB should not release ahead of IPL 2026, despite their recent bad performances.
3. Rasikh Salam
Rasikh Salam was expected to play a larger role in IPL 2025 given the sum he demanded at the auction. Signed for ₹6 crore, the fast bowler appeared in only two matches, taking up one wicket at an economy rate of 11.67.
Despite the fact that he failed to make an impression, RCB should consider keeping him. Indian fast bowlers will be difficult to locate in a mini auction, and numerous franchises will be looking for bowlers who can swing the new ball and bowl to death. Rasikh meets the criteria, and while he might be pricey at times, he has raw ingredients to work with.
2. Liam Livingstone
Liam Livingstone had his day(s) out during IPL 2025 but he didn’t potentialise. In 10 games, the lanky Englishman has managed 112 runs and picked two wickets but neither of his strike rate and economy look good.
Livingstone is on a ₹9 crore contract now, which RCB could spend in other avenues. “I am not guaranteed [a place] in the playing XI (Romario) Shepherd, (Phil) Salt, Tim David and Josh Hazlewood became the first overseas four players who were going to play for us at the back-end in the last league phase,” he said.
But Bengaluru will have to make do with injuries. Livingstone also brings up a rare player type which will be unavailable at the auction, if he goes into the pool, given his demand. The all-rounder is likely to do well, he showed glimpses of form during IPL 2025.
1. Lungi Ngidi
Lungi Ngidi’s market value had depreciated over the past months compared to five years ago. While there have been sights of a return to form in last couple of months, with the slower delivery gripping and dipping, the South African pacer has not been as effective as he used to be.
In two IPL 2025 games, Ngidi picked up four wickets at an economy of 10.13. Apart from one decent performance, he was nowhere near the level of Hazlewood and even Nuwan Thushara.
Regardless, RCB would benefit from keeping him. His recent performance has been marginally encouraging, and bowlers like Ngidi, who can hit the deck hard and use variations, will be useful at most IPL locations. Overseas backup fast bowlers are in short supply, and the Protea paceman is one of the best candidates for the position.
