Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally ended their long wait for the IPL title by defeating Punjab Kings in the final of the Indian Premier League 2025. They have made history after 18 years. The franchise has various amazing players who can help the team defend its title. The Indian legend Virat Kohli was one of the standout performers for RCB in the previous season of IPL by scoring 650+ runs.
Also, RCB is set to play the opening match of the season on 28th march, 2026 against Sunrisers Hyderabad at their home ground M. Chinnaswamy Stadium Bengaluru.
However, there are some players this season who can help RCB achieve its second title.
Tim David
David once again is a critical player for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru because of his ability to finish the game and hit massive sixes in the last overs. David is one of the most significant all-rounders for Team Australia. In addition, he scored 187 runs at a massive strike rate of 185 and with an average of 62.33 in IPL 2025 and led RCB to their first title.
Throughout his IPL career, he played around 50 matches and scored 800+ runs with a strike rate of 173.4. It shows a strong level of consistency. Throughout the tournament, he has shown a great ability to hit boundaries and to produce large volumes of runs late in games. Tim’s place in the final eleven is by no means certain because of the challenge he will face from Romario Shepherd for the role of finisher.
The West Indies all-rounders provide a similar type of explosive batting and can also contribute well with their pace bowling attack. The competition between both the finishers gives the team management different choices to pick based on current form, match conditions, and current team composition, making the battle for the finisher an interesting one.
Tim’s role for RCB will be finishing the innings strongly, scoring quick runs in the last overs, and converting close games into victories.
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Jacob Bethell
Jacob Bethell is a young English all-rounder who can add an X factor to the RCB squad. Although his IPL experience is limited, his performance in domestic and international cricket has shown immense promise. As per cricket addictor, he has just played two matches and scored one half-century.
The young English all-rounder has already proved himself in every format of the game and shown his ability to change the game using his batting skills alone. During the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final, he came to the headlines by scoring 105 runs in just 48 balls against India. He tried solo but unfortunately couldn’t help England chase 254 runs.
Talking about T20 International cricket, he has played 31 matches and scored 697 runs with a strike rate of 149 and an average of 29.04. He also has a century in T20 Internationals. For RCB, Bethell’s role will be to offer momentum in the middle overs, break partnerships through his bowling, and act as a surprise match-winner.
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Venkatesh Iyer
Venkatesh Iyer brings balance and flexibility to the RCB squad as a batting all-rounder, who can open or bat in the middle order. Talking about his IPL career, he has played over 60 matches and scored more than 1400 runs with an average of around 30and a strike rate of approximately. 140. He also has a century and approximately 8 fifties in his IPL career.
His ability to offer aggressive starts during the power play makes him a key player at the top. His primary value lies in his batting, although he bowls occasionally. He has also scored vital runs for Team India. He has played 9 matches for India in T20I with an average of 33.25 by scoring 133 runs.
For RCB, he can manage if innings are early, wickets fall, or accelerate when required. His dual skill set helps the team handle, making him a critical part of their goal of an IPL 2026 victory.
Injuries Hit Hard: RCB’s Biggest Absentees This Season
Royal Challengers Bengaluru are facing an early setback in their IPL 2026 campaign as injury concerns have started to impact squad availability. As per reports, Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood, who played a critical role in helping RCB achieve their first title, is likely to be in the first phase of the tournament.
He has been a critical part of RCB’s bowling attack, known for his accuracy, control, and ability to take crucial wickets in powerplay and death overs.
His absence in the initial matches could weaken RCB’s pace attack and put extra pressure on the remaining bowlers to step up.