Royal Challengers Bengaluru enter IPL 2026 as defending champions — and they have barely changed a thing. That is the biggest statement RCB could make. Andy Flower kept 17 players from the title-winning squad, and the core that lifted the trophy is fully intact heading into IPL 2026 . RCB open the entire tournament on March 28 against Sunrisers Hyderabad at home in Bengaluru. Defending champions. Home crowd. First match of the season. It does not get bigger than that. RCB IPL 2026 Fixtures Check the full IPL 2026 schedule for remaining fixtures once the BCCI releases them. RCB IPL 2026 Squad Captain: Rajat Patidar | Coach: Andy Flower | Home Ground: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru What Makes RCB Dangerous in 2026 Virat Kohli does not need an introduction. His consistency across 15+ IPL seasons remains the foundation of everything RCB build. But in 2026, he is not the only weapon. Rajat Patidar and Phil Salt as an opening pair is one of the most aggressive combinations in the tournament — both players attack from ball one, and that pressure changes how opposition bowlers plan entire spells. Josh Hazlewood at his best is nearly unplayable in powerplays and death overs. The one concern going into the season is Yash Dayal, who has not played since the IPL 2025 final due to a fitness issue. RCB addressed this in the auction by securing a backup pace option, but Dayal’s return to full fitness will be watched closely. Jacob Bethell is the name to watch this season. The young English all-rounder impressed last year, and a full campaign with this squad could see him become a genuine match-winner. RCB’s Title Defence: Key Points RCB are historically the first team to defend the IPL title with almost the same squad intact Chinnaswamy Stadium gives them a massive home advantage — the crowd alone is worth extra runs Patidar’s captaincy transition from Kohli’s shadow to full leader will be a fascinating subplot The schedule opens with the toughest possible test: SRH’s explosive batting lineup on March 28 For updated squad news and player availability, follow the IPL 2026 updates section . RCB’s strength is not just talent — it is belief. After finally ending their title drought in 2025, they come into 2026 with the confidence of champions and a squad that is hungry to prove that was not a one-time thing. Who is RCB’s captain for IPL 2026? Rajat Patidar is the captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru for IPL 2026.

Who coaches RCB in IPL 2026? Andy Flower continues as head coach for RCB in 2026. When is RCB’s first match in IPL 2026? RCB play their first match on March 28 against Sunrisers Hyderabad at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. Is Virat Kohli playing for RCB in IPL 2026? Yes, Virat Kohli is retained and will play for RCB in IPL 2026. How many home matches does RCB play in Bengaluru? RCB plays five home matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium and two at Raipur. What happened to Yash Dayal? Yash Dayal has not played since the IPL 2025 final due to a fitness issue. His return to action is one of RCB’s key pre-season questions. Rajasthan Royals have quietly assembled one of the most exciting squads in the IPL 2026 field. The biggest move was through trade — Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran arriving from CSK in exchange for Sanju Samson. That single deal transformed RR’s all-round depth completely. Combined with Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, and Jofra Archer,… Rajasthan Royals have quietly assembled one of the most exciting squads in the IPL 2026 field. The biggest move was through trade — Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran arriving from CSK in exchange for Sanju Samson. That single deal transformed RR’s all-round depth completely. Combined with Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, and Jofra Archer,… Lucknow Super Giants come into IPL 2026 with something to prove. Back-to-back disappointing exits after two impressive early seasons pushed the franchise to restructure meaningfully. Rishabh Pant continues as captain, Justin Langer stays as head coach, and the big incoming signing is Mohammed Shami — traded from Sunrisers Hyderabad and immediately becoming LSG’s most experienced… Lucknow Super Giants come into IPL 2026 with something to prove. Back-to-back disappointing exits after two impressive early seasons pushed the franchise to restructure meaningfully. Rishabh Pant continues as captain, Justin Langer stays as head coach, and the big incoming signing is Mohammed Shami — traded from Sunrisers Hyderabad and immediately becoming LSG’s most experienced… Punjab Kings made a deliberate, calculated decision heading into IPL 2026: stability over change. They retained 21 players — more than any other franchise — ending years of constant squad overhauls that had prevented PBKS from ever building genuine momentum across a season. Shreyas Iyer takes over as captain, and under Trevor Bayliss, this looks… Punjab Kings made a deliberate, calculated decision heading into IPL 2026: stability over change. They retained 21 players — more than any other franchise — ending years of constant squad overhauls that had prevented PBKS from ever building genuine momentum across a season. Shreyas Iyer takes over as captain, and under Trevor Bayliss, this looks… Delhi Capitals enter IPL 2026 in an interesting position. They have genuine quality in key areas — Mitchell Starc and Kuldeep Yadav as a bowling pair is as good as anything in the competition — but the departure of David Warner, Faf du Plessis, and Jake Fraser-McGurk has left a gap at the top of… Delhi Capitals enter IPL 2026 in an interesting position. They have genuine quality in key areas — Mitchell Starc and Kuldeep Yadav as a bowling pair is as good as anything in the competition — but the departure of David Warner, Faf du Plessis, and Jake Fraser-McGurk has left a gap at the top of… Gujarat Titans are one of the most composed, strategically sound teams in the IPL. They have never been the flashiest squad on paper, but they consistently overperform — and under Ashish Nehra and Shubman Gill, that composure is backed by genuine talent. In IPL 2026, they have the IPL 2025 top run-scorer in their squad,… Gujarat Titans are one of the most composed, strategically sound teams in the IPL. They have never been the flashiest squad on paper, but they consistently overperform — and under Ashish Nehra and Shubman Gill, that composure is backed by genuine talent. In IPL 2026, they have the IPL 2025 top run-scorer in their squad,… Chennai Super Kings do not rebuild — they evolve. And the IPL 2026 version of CSK might be their most interesting squad in years. The Sanju Samson trade was the headline move of the entire pre-auction window: CSK sent Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran to Rajasthan Royals and received Samson in return. That is a… Chennai Super Kings do not rebuild — they evolve. And the IPL 2026 version of CSK might be their most interesting squad in years. The Sanju Samson trade was the headline move of the entire pre-auction window: CSK sent Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran to Rajasthan Royals and received Samson in return. That is a…