Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have had to make some tough a choices while picking their retained players for the Indian Premier League 2026 Auction. Among the bigger names they had to release was all-rounder Liam Livingstone. The English crickter had a forgettable 2025 season but that’s okay because he was worth INR 8.75 crore!
Former RCB and India ace Anil Kumble is of the opinion that the franchise definitely took quite long to take a decision on him, because his on-field output never matched up to what he was supposed to give the side when he was picked ahead of 2025 season. Kumble, who was a part of Livingstone’s coaching set-up during his stint at Punjab Kings in 2022, feels that the all-rounder remains an even more complete game changer and will be heavily procured in 2026.
“Releases are always tough calls. Liam Livingstone is someone I enjoyed working with closely, and he was extremely good for Punjab in IPL 2022, probably his best IPL season. He can change the game single-handedly in just a few overs with his powerful batting. What makes him special is his bowling flexibility; he bowls leg spin to right-handers and off spin to left-handers, plus he’s a good fielder, making him a complete package,” Kumble said via JioStar.
RCB need to find backup for Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood: Anil Kumble
Analyzing RCB’s retained players further, Kumble says that while the reigning champions’ core appears to be in fine shape for 2026, they will need to make a few additions. Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Yash Dayal managed the most of the bowling burden in 2025, and Kumble expects RCB to select solid backup options for these pacers at the auction table for the 2026 season.
“Unfortunately, he didn’t have a great IPL season for RCB last year and also missed out on selection for England. Otherwise, I’m sure other franchises would be interested in him. His high price tag was likely a factor in the release. RCB also needs to find backup options, both an overseas fast bowler and an Indian fast bowler to support their main bowling attack of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood. This need for bowling depth might be another reason behind this tough call,” he added further.
The IPL 2026 Auction is set for December 16, 2025 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The Purse money for RCB at the start of the match will be little over INR 16 crores. It will, therefore, be interesting to see the composition of the Rajat Patidar-led team in 2018 edition of the cash-rich tournament.
