3 players RCB shouldn't release ahead of IPL 2026 despite recent poor returns ft. Liam Livingstone

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are on the back of their best-ever campaign in Indian Premier League (IPL) history. Fresh off their first title, the defending champions will be keen on making winning a habit.

Bengaluru had notable contributions from most of their players, and while squad depth wasn't one of their strengths, they did well to establish a world-class core spanning multiple departments. RCB won't want to shake things up too much, having placed their faith in a great group of names who delivered in tough circumstances.

RCB's squad for IPL 2025: Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Tim David, Manoj Bhandage, Devdutt Padikkal, Swastik Chikara, Phil Salt, Jitesh Sharma, Liam Livingstone, Krunal Pandya, Swapnil Singh, Romario Shepherd, Jacob Bethell, Mohit Rathee, Suyash Sharma, Abhinandan Singh, Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Rasikh Salam, Nuwan Thushara, Lungi Ngidi, Tim Seifert (tr), Blessing Muzarabani (tr), Mayank Agarwal (r).

On that note, here are three players RCB shouldn't release ahead of IPL 2026 despite their recent poor returns.

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#3 Rasikh Salam

2025 IPL - Kolkata Knight Riders v Royal Challengers Bengaluru - Source: Getty

Rasikh Salam was expected to play a bigger role in IPL 2025 after the kind of price he commanded at the auction. Signed for ₹6 crore, the fast bowler featured in just two matches, picking up one wicket at an economy rate of 11.67.

However, despite the fact that he wasn't able to make an impact, RCB should consider retaining him. Indian fast bowlers won't be easy to find in a mini auction, and multiple franchises will be on the lookout for bowlers who can swing the new ball and bowl at the death. Rasikh fits the bill, and even though he can be expensive at times, he has raw materials to work with.

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#2 Liam Livingstone

2025 IPL: Final - Royal Challengers Bengaluru v Punjab Kings - Source: Getty

Liam Livingstone had his moments during IPL 2025, but he certainly didn't live up to his billing. In 10 matches, the Englishman managed just 112 runs and two wickets, with both his strike rate and his economy rate not making for pretty reading.

Livingstone is currently on a contract worth nearly ₹9 crore, and RCB might want to invest those funds elsewhere. He isn't guaranteed to be part of the playing XI, with Romario Shepherd, Phil Salt, Tim David and Josh Hazlewood forming the team's first-choice overseas combination towards the end of the previous edition of the league.

However, Bengaluru will need to account for injuries. Livingstone also offers a unique profile of player that won't be available at the auction - in fact, it's safe to say that he'll be in high demand if he makes his way into the pool. The all-rounder can be backed to come good, as he did at times during IPL 2025.

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#1 Lungi Ngidi

2025 IPL - Royal Challengers Bengaluru v Sunrisers Hyderabad - Source: Getty

Lungi Ngidi's stock has dipped in recent times compared to where it was five years ago. Although there have been signs of a resurgence in the last few months, with the slower ball gripping and dipping, the South African pacer isn't as reliable as he once was.

Ngidi picked up four wickets in two matches in IPL 2025, going at an economy rate of 10.13. Although he had one good display, he was a clear downgrade on the likes of Hazlewood and even Nuwan Thushara.

Despite that, however, RCB would do well to keep him. His recent form has been slightly encouraging, and bowlers like Ngidi who can hit the deck hard and use variations will be useful at most IPL venues. Overseas backup fast bowlers are a limited crop, and the Protea paceman is among the better options to fulfil that role.

Edited by Sai Krishna