RCB stalwart Virat Kohli has scored the most runs for the franchise and has been their leading run scorer in most of the recent seasons. However, here are three players who can do something special to help RCB defend their title.
Indian legend Virat Kohli was the best performer for RCB in the last edition of IPL as well. He scored 650+ runs and was the third highest run scorer for RCB. However, this time, some other players can help RCB take their campaign forward.
Apart from Virat Kohli, 3 players who can give RCB another IPL title
3. Phil Salt
English batsman Phil Salt emerged as one of the most talented opening batsmen in the shortest format of the game. Having scored many runs on the international front, he is considered one of the most aggressive and consistent opening batsmen in the top order.
Phil Salt has played in the IPL three times and has represented three different franchises since 2023. He represented Delhi Capitals in his debut season of 2023, where he scored 218 runs in 9 matches. Kolkata Knight Riders bought him in the next mini-auction and got the best possible profit in 2024.
After scoring 435 runs in 12 innings for Kolkata Knight Riders, Salt showed his ability to single-handedly carry the team; However, he moved to RCB the following season. Playing for RCB, he scored 403 runs at a tremendous strike rate of 175.
Although Salt has had a miserable 2025, and his batting form has dipped at the international level, he is one of the best batsmen in the RCB unit, who has the ability to lead the team to victory.
2. Devdutt Padikkal
It was the Royal Challengers Bangalore team that first brought out the talent of Devdutt Padikkal. The Karnataka batsman first played for the Challengers in 2020 and was named the Emerging Player of the IPL season.
Playing his first two seasons for the Royal Challengers, the youngster scored 400+ runs in consecutive seasons. He also scored a century in the second season after his debut. However, his career ended after moves to Rajasthan Royals and Lucknow Super Giants.
He returned to the RCB squad in 2025 after the mega-auction. Padikkal played all 10 of his matches as RCB’s No. 1. Scored 247 runs with 3 batsmen and two half-centuries and displayed fearless ball-striking ability with a strike rate of 150.
Padikkal has been in great form at the domestic level, having dominated the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Karnataka and then scoring runs in the second half of the Ranji Trophy. He also scored a double century in the semi-final match against Uttarakhand.
1. Jacob Bethel
The best possible batsman who can step up as RCB’s best batsman in performance. England youngster Jacob Bethell emerged as his best player at the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka. Bethel also performed well during the Ashes in Australia.
The English left-handed batsman held the English middle order together; He will not be handed a crucial role to do so for RCB. Tim David has not been in good form since returning from injury; Therefore, it becomes even more important for Bethel to move forward.
The English batsman is particularly strong on the backfoot and handles spin bowling very well, giving him an edge on subcontinent pitches. However, Bethel is relatively inexperienced in the IPL, having played only 2 games and scoring 67 runs with one half-century.
Also read: “RCB’s identity is still…”: Ex-RCB skipper highlights franchise’s over-dependence on Virat Kohli
