As the last champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) enter IPL 2026 season with the weight of gold and the luxury of stability. After winning the historic maiden title in 2025, they fell behind Kings of the Punjab with six runs in the high-octane final, the franchise’s strategy shifted from rebuilding to cleaning up. However, despite being a bare-bones buy in the latest auction, the former Indian player and coach Sanjay Bangar believes the team should resist the urge to fix what isn’t broken.
Sanjay Bangar shares why the ₹ 7 crore acquisition may be on the back burner
The biggest talking point of RCB’s off-season was the buyout Venkatesh Iyer For ₹7 crore. Although the versatile left-hander is a dual threat with both bat and ball, Bangar was candid during a recent discussion with Star Sports and suggested that the high price tag does not guarantee a place in the championship rhythm.
“There is no place for him“,” Bangar pointed out. He emphasized that at the end of the season Devdutt Padikkal In 2025, the young man won the right to continue at the top. Padikkal, who struggled at the start of last season, found his touch just before the playoffs, playing high-impact cameos that Bangar believes are essential to maintain the team’s aggressive identity.
By backing the existing core, Bangar argues that RCB can avoid the “tactical confusion” that often plagues teams after a successful season. The logic is simple: when a team has proven it can withstand the pressure of a final, introducing a new marquee player can disrupt the established roles and chemistry that sometimes lead to a trophy.
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Bangar has chosen Royal Challengers Bengaluru as his preferred choice for IPL 2026.
Bangar’s predicted 11th for 2026 is heavily dependent on the formula ending RCB’s 18-year title drought. An important piece of this puzzle remains Josh Hazlewood. despite not missing 2026 T20 World Cup and Ash due to recurring hamstring and Achilles problems, Bangar remains optimistic about Australia’s IPL commitment. He noted that veteran internationals often look at the IPL as a platform to expand their careers, potentially offering RCB a more focused and motivated spearhead.
The bowling department remains formidable, featuring veteran craftsmanship Bhuvneshwar Kumar along with the left arm swing Yash Dayal. Emergence in the spin department Suyash Sharma As a reliable Impact Player, he allows the team to maintain flexibility without sacrificing attacking depth.
Bangar presents his selected playing XI for RCB in IPL 2026
Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh HazlewoodYash Dayal
Impact Player: Suyash Sharma
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