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RCB: Defending Champions Brace for IPL 2026 Title Defense
24 Mar
Summary
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru enters IPL 2026 as defending champions.
- Team boasts a powerful batting line-up with Virat Kohli set to open.
- Pace bowling faces uncertainty with Hazlewood and Dayal's availability.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru embarks on IPL 2026 as the reigning champion, aiming to defend its title with a largely unchanged squad. Key acquisitions include all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer and pacer Jacob Duffy. The batting lineup is exceptionally strong, designed to excel at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Virat Kohli is confirmed as an opener, with Phil Salt and Jacob Bethell vying for the other spot. Captain Rajat Patidar, Devdutt Padikkal, and Tim David form a potent middle order.
However, the pace-bowling department presents a challenge due to potential absences of Josh Hazlewood and Yash Dayal. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is expected to lead the attack if they are unavailable. Mangesh Yadav and Nuwan Thushara are new options. Spin duties will be handled by the successful pairing of Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma. The team will benefit from playing five matches in front of their passionate home crowd.
