The Royal Challengers Bengaluru will begin their title defence against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Bengaluru on March 28. RCB made history when they lifted the IPL trophy for the first time in 2025 edition. The Rajat Patidar-led side defeated Punjab Kings in the finale in Ahmedabad.
The contest between RCB and SRH will also mark the beginning of the 2026 season. Traditionally, the finalists of the previous season lock horns with each other in the next opening fixture of the next season but the BCCI has broken the trend this time.
Mandatory Bat Tap Video ft. Virat 😮💨
This is Emmvee presents RCB Shorts.#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #IPL2026 pic.twitter.com/PScBNYqRT9
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) March 19, 2026
Here we take a look at the Strengths, Weaknesses and Probable Playing XI of RCB for the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League.
Strength of RCB in IPL 2026
Aggressive Batting Unit
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru have a pretty aggressive unit who can score runs at a brisk pace. Usually, Virat Kohli has been the batter for both India and RCB who holds the fort at one end but he has certainly tweaked the approach and has been scoring runs at an aggressive pace in the white-ball format.
The flamboyant batter comes into the new edition of the cash-rich league on the back of some stunning performances and would look to continue his form. Along side him, Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar and Venkatesh Iyer make a solid and steady top and middle-order.
Be it bat or the ball, Venky Iyer can do it all! 🔥
First szn in our threads but he has the bold desire to 𝙇𝙀𝙑𝙀𝙇 𝙐𝙋. 🔝#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #IPL2026 pic.twitter.com/ZgpJZIXLjw
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) March 20, 2026
Devdutt brings in the balance while Patidar and Iyer have the ability to keep things steady at one end and accelerate as and when required. Having wide range of shots in their armoury, both the players will play a crucial role for the franchise with the bat especially in tricky situations. Moreover, Tim David’s presence in the XI just adds to the firepower in the later stage of the game.
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Weakness of RCB in IPL 2026
Concerns in Lower Middle Order
While the batting order generally looks stable, the problem still lies in the lower middle-order. Jitesh Sharma and Romario Shepherd need to click with the bat consistently. Romario Shepherd’s place in the XI looks difficult at the moment but Jitesh who will also keep wickets, will have to take the responsibility to go all guns blazing in the final phase of the innings consistently.
The man, the myth, the legend, 𝗗𝗞 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗮 🫡🔥
Mentor &. Batting Coach – but above all else, the heartbeat of this team. Welcome back, Coach. Let’s go make history again! ⭐️♥️
PS. We hope you carried your steam iron this time around 👀♨️#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #IPL2026 pic.twitter.com/8pA5CBLSK9
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) March 20, 2026
Pacer Bowling Concerns
With Josh Hazlewood out for the initial phase, a lot would depend on Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yash Dayal. While Bhuvneshwar Kumar can restrict the opposition from one end, Dayal would need to pick wickets at the other end. In 15 appearances, the left-arm bowler had 13 scalps in the IPL 2025 and that too at an economy of 9.59.
The unit has the services of Nuwan Thushara as well who can come in the playing XI in place of the Aussie pacer. Thushara has a knack of picking wickets as he has 174 dismissals to his name in 137 matches in T20 format.
Probable XI: Virat Kohli, Phil Salt (O), Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (C), Venkatesh Iyer, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Tim David (O), Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Nuwan Thushara (O)
Impact Player: Suyash Sharma
