"I was actually expecting him to get a game" - Saba Karim surprised by RCB release heading into IPL 2026 auction

Former India wicketkeeper-batter Saba Karim has expressed surprise about the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) releasing Swastik Chikara ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. He highlighted that the Uttar Pradesh batter was released without even getting an opportunity to play.

Chikara was among six players released by RCB ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, with Liam Livingstone, Manoj Bhandage, Lungi Ngidi, Mayank Agarwal and Mohit Rathee being the others. The defending IPL champions have an available purse of ₹16.40 crore and can buy at most eight players, including two overseas, at the auction.

During a discussion on Star Sports, Saba wondered whether the Royal Challengers Bengaluru could look to repurchase Livingstone and expressed surprise about Chikara's release.

"It's such a splendid place to be in, isn't it, defending champions finally. However, Liam Livingstone, can they buy him back if they have the purse, if he doesn't go for that kind of value? I am also surprised not to see Swastik Chikara being retained because he was an excellent buy for them last season," the former India selector said. "He had a prolific T20 tournament also while playing the Syed Mushtaq Ali. I was actually expecting him to get a game. He didn't get a single game and then he has not been retained. So, in case they want to bulk up that kind of an area or that kind of a player, there are some Indian uncapped batters also in the wings," he added.

Swastik Chikara has managed only 15 runs at a party average of 3.75 in four T20 innings. However, he has fared decently in List A cricket, scoring 200 runs, including a century, at an average of 33.33 in six innings.

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"He can change the game single-handedly in a few overs" - Anil Kumble on RCB releasing Liam Livingstone ahead of IPL 2026 auction

RCB acquired Liam Livingstone for ₹8.75 crore at the IPL 2025 auction. [P/C: Getty]

In the same discussion, former Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Anil Kumble opined that Liam Livingstone's release would have been a tough call for the franchise, considering the England big-hitter's game-changing abilities.

"It's always a tough call. Liam Livingstone is again someone I worked with closely. I enjoyed working with him. He was extremely good with Punjab. That season was probably one of his best IPL seasons, and he can change the game single-handedly in a few overs," he said.

While observing that Livingstone can also contribute effectively with the ball and in the field, the former India spinner reckoned that the all-rounder's indifferent run for RCB in IPL 2025 and for England lately might have been the reason behind his release.

"He also has the ability to bowl off-spin and leg-spin. It doesn't really matter who the batter is, and he is a good fielder. So he is a complete package in that sense. Unfortunately for him, he hasn't had a great IPL season for RCB last season, and then also with England. He sort of missed out on that," Kumble observed.

Anil Kumble opined that Liam Livingstone would be sought after by the other franchises at the IPL 2026 auction. He added that the all-rounder's price tag and RCB's need to release money to acquire overseas and Indian seam-bowling backups might have also contributed to them letting go of Livingstone.

Edited by Kartik Iyer