The RCB management will be thrilled, as their two match-winning players of the 2025 season could become the biggest burden for them due to various reasons like injury, lack of form and others.
Royal Challengers Bangalore made a number of new players in their squad after releasing one or two players who did not seem to be the best performing cricketers last time. Under the leadership of Rajat Patidar, they picked up players like Venkatesh Iyer, Mangesh Yadav and many other Indian youngsters.
They won their first title in 2025 after a long wait of 18 editions. They will be preparing for their first title defense this season and will begin their campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad at their home ground of M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
3 players who are the biggest burden for RCB in IPL 2026
Venkatesh Iyer
Venkatesh Iyer, one of the most expensive Indian players in the history of IPL, was bought for a huge price in the mega-auction for IPL 2024. However, after an unsuccessful season, the KKR team released him ahead of the mini-auction.
RCB acquired his services as a batsman for Rs 7 crore. Despite the drop in price, Venky seems to be the weak link of RCB. The reason for this is his poor form in any format of the game. Iyer has also failed miserably with the bat in domestic cricket for his state team.
This batting all-rounder will be seen in a jersey other than KKR for the first time. However, his role in the RCB team is to strengthen the middle-order batting in the absence of Liam Livingstone. With his medium pace not being useful, Iyer can only be used as a batsman, and if he flops in that department, the challengers don’t have many options to replace him.
Josh Hazlewood
Another key fast bowler of the team, Josh Hazlewood, was their best player when he took the most wickets for the IPL-winning team. After taking so many wickets, Hazlewood was his match-winner with the ball.
He has taken wickets in the power play with the new ball and given the lead to RCB. Hazlewood, on the other hand, has also been remarkably economical in the death overs for RCB. In his absence it will be very difficult for the players to fill his place.
Australian players have been out of cricket since the Ashes series due to several injuries. These injuries have blocked his return to the IPL, as he will miss the first half of the competition.
Although the Royal Challengers have Jacob Duffy as their backup, it will be a huge burden for RCB, as they can neither release the player due to his importance, nor avail his services at the start of the competition.
Phil Salt
Lastly, English opener Phil Salt, who was one of the highest run-scorers for Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2025. The opener was their most dynamic batsman and often gave them great starts in the first six overs.
The explosive batsman has not revealed his batting style; However, he has been out of touch for the past one year. Salt is short of runs in international and franchise level cricket and this will be a major concern for the Royal Challengers in the upcoming IPL edition.
He also does not have many backup players to take his place in the playing eleven. Instead, Virat Kohli may open with England youngster Jacob Bethel. However, promoting Bethel or Devdutt Padikkal in the batting order will expose the weakness of the middle order to their opponents.
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