Credit: BCCI/IPL
Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru walk into the IPL 2026 mini auction with a stable core and a reasonably clear shopping list. Seventeen retained players, six overseas options, and a purse of INR 16.40 crore leave them with eight slots to fill, including two overseas. This is not a blow-up the squad auction for them; it is a target the missing pieces auction. They have had a successful campaign last time around and there are some minor areas where they will be looking to tighten up ahead of IPL 2026. Here are the players they could target in the upcoming Mini Auction.
1.Michael Bracewell
Michael Bracewell is one of the ex-RCB players. A counterattacking left-handed batting and right-arm off-spin make him a balanced all-rounder. His past standout knocks in India showed his destructive potential, while consistent overs with his spin globally and for New Zealand highlights reliability. RCB released Liam Livingstone ahead of this season and Bracewell can play a role very similar to him.
2. Prithvi Shaw
Prithvi Shaw is an aggressive batter at the top of the order and has been in great form for Maharashtra in the domestic season. The 26-year-old, who has previously played 79 IPL games for Delhi Capitals (DC), has operated at a strike rate of 160.53 in his IPL career. He will be a good fit for RCB at the top of the order and despite Virat Kohli and Salt forming a solid partnership they could slot in Prithvi Shaw at the top of the order and create some more power or float him around. He is a pretty good player of spin and will surely be a good option for RCB to have going into IPL 2026.
3.Salman Nizar
Salman Nizar fits into the Indian middle-order/finisher role. A left-handed batter from Kerala with range against spin, he gives RCB something they might need which is an Indian batter who can slot at no.5 or no.6, finish games and free them to use overseas slots on bowling when conditions demand it. If they want to field Salt plus two overseas pacers on certain surfaces, a player like Salman makes that combination far less fragile. He has been in good form and recently made headlines in the Kerala T20 League where he played with an excellent strike rate down the order and was consistent throughout the season.
