Royal Challengers Bengaluru Squad and Team Records

Royal Challengers Bengaluru have gone from being one of the IPL’s most famous teams without a title to back-to-back champions. RCB finally ended their long wait by winning the IPL in 2025 under Rajat Patidar and then successfully defended the trophy in 2026, defeating Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the final. Virat runs-in-ipl/”>Kohli remains the central figure in the franchise, while Phil Salt, Josh Hazlewood, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and a growing Indian core have helped turn RCB into a more balanced team. Through IPL 2026, Bengaluru have won two titles, reached five finals and recorded 143 victories in 286 matches.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Squad

The following table shows RCB’s main 2026 squad. Prices represent retention values or auction purchase prices.

RCB retained 17 players from their 2025 championship squad and signed eight more at the 2026 auction. Venkatesh Iyer was the biggest new purchase at ₹7 crore, followed by Mangesh Yadav at ₹5.20 crore and Jacob Duffy at ₹2 crore.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Team Records

RCB’s 263/5 against Pune Warriors India in 2013 was built around Chris Gayle’s unbeaten 175 from 66 balls, one of the most famous innings in T20 history. At the opposite end of the record book, RCB were bowled out for 49 against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2017, still the lowest team total in IPL history. Through the end of 2026, RCB had played 286 matches and won 143.

Virat Kohli – The Face of RCB

Virat Kohli has represented RCB since the first IPL season in 2008 and remains the most important player in franchise history.

By the end of IPL 2026, Kohli had scored more than 9,300 IPL runs, all for Bengaluru, making him the competition’s all-time leading run-scorer. He has also scored nine IPL centuries, more than any other batter.

His greatest individual season came in 2016, when he scored 973 runs, including four centuries, and carried RCB to the final.

Kohli finally became an IPL champion in 2025 after RCB defeated Punjab Kings in the final. A year later, he played another major role in their successful title defence.

He scored 675 runs in IPL 2026 at a strike rate above 165, including one century and five fifties. He saved one of his best innings for the final, scoring an unbeaten 75 from 42 balls as RCB chased 156 against Gujarat Titans.

Rajat Patidar – Back-to-Back Championship Captain

Rajat Patidar’s rise has been one of RCB’s biggest success stories.

He first made a major impact in 2022, when he scored an unbeaten 112 against Lucknow Super Giants in the Eliminator. That innings made him the first uncapped player to score a century in an IPL playoff match.

Patidar was named RCB captain before IPL 2025 and immediately led the team to its first championship.

He then completed an even rarer achievement in 2026 by captaining RCB to a second consecutive title.

Patidar scored 501 runs in IPL 2026, his best season with the bat. His standout innings came in Qualifier 1 against Gujarat Titans, when he smashed an unbeaten 93 from only 33 balls with nine sixes.

RCB reached 254/5, the highest total in IPL playoff history, before winning by 92 runs.

Phil Salt – Aggressive Opening Option

Phil Salt joined RCB for ₹11.50 crore ahead of IPL 2025 after playing an important role for Kolkata Knight Riders during their 2024 championship campaign.

RCB signed him to provide aggressive powerplay batting alongside Kohli.

Salt’s game is based on attacking fast bowling early and forcing fielding captains to change plans before the powerplay ends. His wicketkeeping also gives Bengaluru flexibility in team selection.

His arrival helped RCB build a top order capable of scoring quickly without placing all the attacking responsibility on Kohli.

That balance was one of the reasons RCB were able to move away from their older pattern of depending heavily on a few superstar batters.

Josh Hazlewood – RCB’s Pace Leader

Josh Hazlewood has become one of RCB’s most reliable fast bowlers.

The Australian was bought for ₹12.50 crore before IPL 2025 and played a major role in the franchise’s improved bowling attack.

His height, accuracy and hard length make him dangerous with the new ball, while his control allows him to bowl during the middle and death overs as well.

Hazlewood took 15 wickets in IPL 2026 despite joining the campaign later than several teammates.

His best spell came against Delhi Capitals, when he took 4/12 and helped dismiss Delhi for only 75.

That spell also took Hazlewood past 50 wickets for RCB.

Krunal Pandya – Balance in the Middle Overs

Krunal Pandya joined RCB for ₹5.75 crore and became a key all-round part of the team.

His left-arm spin provides control through the middle overs, while his left-handed batting gives RCB another option lower in the order.

Krunal took 14 wickets during IPL 2026 at an economy rate of 8.41.

He was especially useful in matches where opposing teams had several right-handed batters because his flat trajectory allowed him to attack the stumps without giving batters much room.

Krunal also contributed in RCB’s record playoff total against Gujarat, scoring 43 from 28 balls in a 95-run partnership with Patidar.

Liam Livingstone – Part of RCB’s 2025 Title Squad

Liam Livingstone is not part of the current 2026 RCB squad, but he was an important name in the franchise’s 2025 championship season.

RCB bought the England all-rounder ahead of IPL 2025 for ₹8.75 crore.

Livingstone brought middle-order power and the unusual ability to bowl both leg-spin and off-spin.

His role was to provide acceleration after the top order and give the captain another bowling matchup option.

RCB released him before the 2026 auction as they reshaped the squad while retaining most of their title-winning core. His ₹8.75 crore contract was one of the largest releases before the 2026 auction.

RCB’s Highest IPL Total

Royal Challengers Bengaluru scored 263/5 against Pune Warriors India in 2013.

Chris Gayle was responsible for 175 not out from only 66 balls.

He hit 13 fours and 17 sixes and reached his century in 30 balls.

RCB then restricted Pune to 133/9 and won by 130 runs.

The 263/5 remained the overall IPL record for more than a decade and still stands as RCB’s highest team total.

RCB’s Lowest IPL Total

RCB’s lowest total is 49 against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2017.

Chasing only 132, Bengaluru suffered a complete batting collapse.

No RCB batter reached double figures, and the team was dismissed in 9.4 overs.

The result remains one of the sharpest examples of how unpredictable T20 cricket can be, especially because the RCB lineup included major international batters.

RCB’s IPL Title Wins

2025 – First IPL Championship

After 18 seasons of waiting, RCB finally won their first IPL title in 2025.

Rajat Patidar led the team, while Kohli, Phil Salt, Josh Hazlewood, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jitesh Sharma formed the core of a balanced squad.

RCB defeated Punjab Kings in the final, ending one of the longest title droughts in the league.

The achievement changed the entire historical perception of the franchise. RCB had previously finished runners-up in 2009, 2011 and 2016.

2026 – Successful Title Defence

RCB entered IPL 2026 as defending champions and became even stronger as the season progressed.

They finished first in the league stage and reached Qualifier 1.

Against Gujarat Titans, RCB scored 254/5, the highest playoff total in IPL history. Patidar’s 93* led the innings before the bowlers dismissed GT for 162.

The victory sent RCB directly into the final.

Gujarat returned after winning Qualifier 2, setting up a rematch in Ahmedabad.

RCB won the toss and bowled first. Hazlewood removed Shubman Gill, Bhuvneshwar dismissed Sai Sudharsan and Gujarat finished on 155/8.

RCB then attacked immediately.

Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer took the team to its fastest-ever fifty in an IPL final. Kohli remained unbeaten on 75 as Bengaluru reached 161/5 in 18 overs and won by five wickets.

RCB therefore became only the third franchise after Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians to successfully defend an IPL title.

RCB 2026 IPL Season Summary

RCB finished IPL 2026 with 11 wins and five losses across the league and playoff stages.

Kohli was their leading run-scorer with 675 runs.

Patidar followed with 501, producing his best IPL season.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar was RCB’s leading wicket-taker with 28 wickets and missed the Purple Cap by only one wicket. Rasikh Salam Dar took 19, Hazlewood 15 and Krunal Pandya 14.

RCB also produced several huge team performances.

They scored 250/3 against Chennai Super Kings and beat them by 43 runs. They later made 240/4 against Mumbai Indians.

Their most important batting performance came in Qualifier 1, when 254/5 against Gujarat became the highest score ever recorded in an IPL playoff match.

The final completed a second consecutive championship and transformed RCB from a franchise once known for near misses into back-to-back IPL winners.

RCB Most Important Franchise Milestones

2008 – Played first IPL season

2009 – Reached first IPL final

2011 – Reached second IPL final

2013 – Scored 263/5; Gayle made 175*

2016 – Kohli scored record 973 runs; RCB reached final

2017 – Bowled out for record-low 49

2025 – Won first IPL title

2026 – Won second consecutive IPL title

The 2025 and 2026 seasons now define the most successful period in franchise history.

Conclusion

Royal Challengers Bengaluru have completed one of the biggest transformations in IPL history.

For years, they were known for world-class individual players, enormous batting records and repeated playoff appearances without a championship.

That changed in 2025.

Under Rajat Patidar, RCB won their first title and then successfully defended it in 2026.

Virat Kohli remains the franchise’s leading figure and the IPL’s all-time leading run-scorer. Patidar has become a back-to-back championship captain, while Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar and Krunal have strengthened a bowling attack that was often considered RCB’s weakness in earlier eras.

RCB’s highest total remains 263/5, their lowest is 49, and they have now won 143 matches through the end of IPL 2026.

With two titles in two seasons, Bengaluru have moved from chasing their first trophy to becoming one of the league’s current championship teams.

FAQs

How many IPL titles have Royal Challengers Bengaluru won?

RCB have won two IPL titles, in 2025 and 2026.

Who is the current RCB captain?

Rajat Patidar is the Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain.

Who captained RCB to their first IPL title?

Rajat Patidar captained RCB to their first championship in 2025.

Did RCB win IPL 2026?

Yes. RCB defeated Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the 2026 final.

Who scored the most runs for RCB in IPL 2026?

Virat Kohli scored 675 runs and finished as RCB’s leading batter.

Who took the most wickets for RCB in IPL 2026?

Bhuvneshwar Kumar took 28 wickets, the highest total for the team.

What is RCB’s highest IPL score?

RCB’s highest total is 263/5 against Pune Warriors India in 2013.

What is RCB’s lowest IPL score?

RCB were bowled out for 49 against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2017.

Who has scored the most runs for RCB?

Virat Kohli is RCB’s leading run-scorer and the IPL’s all-time leading run-scorer.

What is Virat Kohli’s best IPL season?

Kohli scored 973 runs in IPL 2016, including four centuries.

Who has the highest individual score for RCB?

Chris Gayle holds the record with 175 not out against Pune Warriors India in 2013.

What are RCB’s best bowling figures?

Anil Kumble’s 5/5 remains one of the greatest bowling performances in RCB history.

How much did RCB pay for Phil Salt?

RCB bought Phil Salt for ₹11.50 crore before IPL 2025.

How much did RCB pay for Josh Hazlewood?

Josh Hazlewood was bought for ₹12.50 crore.

How much did RCB pay for Krunal Pandya?

RCB bought Krunal Pandya for ₹5.75 crore.

Is Liam Livingstone still with RCB?

No. Livingstone was part of RCB’s 2025 squad but was released before the 2026 auction.

What was RCB’s highest score in IPL 2026?

RCB scored 254/5 against Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1, the highest playoff total in IPL history.

How many IPL matches have RCB won?

RCB had recorded 143 IPL victories through the end of the 2026 season.