RCB IPL 2027 Squad: Players List, Captain and Coach
Royal Challengers Bengaluru head into the IPL 2027 cycle as the most feared franchise in the league. After 18 years of heartbreak, RCB finally lifted their first IPL trophy in 2025 — and then went and did it again in 2026, becoming back-to-back champions under Rajat Patidar and head coach Andy Flower. With the retention deadline reportedly set for 15 November 2026 and the mini auction heading to Goa in December, the defending champions have every reason to protect their core. Here is what we know about the RCB IPL 2027 squad — and what is still to be confirmed.
Quick facts: Royal Challengers Bengaluru
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Team | Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) |
| Founded | 2008 |
| Owner | United Spirits Limited (a Diageo company), through Royal Challengers Sports Pvt. Ltd. |
| Home ground | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
| Captain (IPL 2026) | Rajat Patidar |
| Head coach | Andy Flower |
| Batting coach and mentor | Dinesh Karthik |
| IPL titles | 2 (2025, 2026) |
| IPL 2026 finish | Champions — beat Gujarat Titans in the final at Ahmedabad |
| IPL 2027 retention deadline | Reported as 15 November 2026 (not formally confirmed by the BCCI) |
| IPL 2027 mini auction | Goa, December 2026 (exact date not formally confirmed) |
2025 and 2026 recap: from first trophy to back-to-back titles
RCB’s wait finally ended in June 2025. After 18 seasons without a title, they beat Punjab Kings by 6 runs in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad to lift their maiden IPL trophy — captain Rajat Patidar hoisting the cup alongside Virat Kohli, who had been with the franchise since 2008.
Defending that title in 2026, Bengaluru went one step further into club history. Reports put their league-stage record at 9 wins and 5 losses (18 points), and they went on to beat Gujarat Titans in the final at Ahmedabad on 31 May to become back-to-back champions — Virat Kohli’s reported unbeaten 75 earning player of the match. Two titles in two years turned RCB from the league’s perennial entertainers into its team to beat.
Captain: Rajat Patidar leads the title defence
Rajat Patidar remains the RCB captain and one of the great leadership stories in IPL history. Handed the captaincy ahead of the 2025 season, he led the franchise to its first title and then retained it in 2026 — calm under pressure, shrewd with his bowling changes, and a match-winner with the bat in his own right.
There is no indication of any change. Patidar is expected to lead RCB in 2027 as well, with the only formal confirmation coming when the retained lists are announced in mid-November 2026. Backing the title-winning captain through the final mini auction of this cycle would be the least surprising decision in the IPL.
Coaching staff: Flower and Karthik continue
Andy Flower remains the RCB head coach. The Zimbabwean, a proven title-winner in franchise cricket, has overseen both championship campaigns and built a squad noted for its balance, bench strength and calm in big moments. No coaching changes have been announced for 2027.
- Head coach: Andy Flower
- Batting coach and mentor: Dinesh Karthik
The Karthik role matters more than most coaching appointments: a former RCB player who retired after the 2024 season, he is credited with shaping the team’s approach to finishing games and mentoring younger keepers like Jitesh Sharma.
The squad core: who RCB build around
RCB’s 2026 squad had 25 players — a retained core of 17 champions, topped up with eight buys at the mini auction held in Abu Dhabi, where the franchise spent most of its reported INR 16.4 crore purse. That group is the confirmed base going into the IPL 2027 retention window.
Batters
The heart of RCB’s batting is Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar, with Devdutt Padikkal as the left-handed top-order option. Kohli has been the franchise’s one constant since 2008, and his form in both title runs was decisive. Young Indian prospects Vihaan Malhotra and Kanishk Chouhan were added as development picks at the 2026 mini auction.
Wicketkeepers
Phil Salt gives RCB one of the most destructive opening options in the league, with Jitesh Sharma as the Indian keeper-finisher — a role he filled expertly in both title campaigns. England’s Jordan Cox arrived at the 2026 mini auction (INR 75 lakh) as overseas keeping cover.
All-rounders
Krunal Pandya is the senior Indian all-rounder, complemented by West Indian pace-hitting option Romario Shepherd, England’s Jacob Bethell and Tim David — the designated finisher. The 2026 auction added Venkatesh Iyer (INR 7 crore), the marquee replacement for released Liam Livingstone, plus uncapped Satvik Deswal and left-arm spin option Swapnil Singh from the retained group.
Bowlers
The attack is led by Australian spearhead Josh Hazlewood and veteran swing master Bhuvneshwar Kumar, with Yash Dayal, Rasikh Dar Salam, Nuwan Thushara and Abhinandan Singh providing Indian and overseas pace depth. New Zealand quick Jacob Duffy (INR 2 crore) and uncapped Mangesh Yadav (INR 5.2 crore) were the pace reinforcements bought at the 2026 mini auction. Leg-spinner Suyash Sharma is the frontline spin option, backed by Vicky Ostwal.
RCB full squad base (post-IPL 2026)
| Player | Role | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Rajat Patidar (c) | Batter | Retained for 2026 |
| Virat Kohli | Batter | Retained for 2026 |
| Phil Salt | Wicketkeeper-batter (overseas) | Retained for 2026 |
| Devdutt Padikkal | Batter | Retained for 2026 |
| Jitesh Sharma | Wicketkeeper-batter | Retained for 2026 |
| Jordan Cox | Wicketkeeper-batter (overseas) | Bought at 2026 mini auction (INR 75 lakh) |
| Venkatesh Iyer | All-rounder | Bought at 2026 mini auction (INR 7 crore) |
| Krunal Pandya | All-rounder | Retained for 2026 |
| Tim David | All-rounder (overseas) | Retained for 2026 |
| Romario Shepherd | All-rounder (overseas) | Retained for 2026 |
| Jacob Bethell | All-rounder (overseas) | Retained for 2026 |
| Swapnil Singh | All-rounder | Retained for 2026 |
| Josh Hazlewood | Bowler (overseas) | Retained for 2026 |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | Bowler | Retained for 2026 |
| Yash Dayal | Bowler | Retained for 2026 |
| Rasikh Dar Salam | Bowler | Retained for 2026 |
| Suyash Sharma | Bowler | Retained for 2026 |
| Nuwan Thushara | Bowler (overseas) | Retained for 2026 |
| Abhinandan Singh | Bowler | Retained for 2026 |
| Jacob Duffy | Bowler (overseas) | Bought at 2026 mini auction (INR 2 crore) |
| Mangesh Yadav | Bowler | Bought at 2026 mini auction (INR 5.2 crore) |
| Satvik Deswal | All-rounder | Bought at 2026 mini auction (INR 30 lakh) |
| Vicky Ostwal | Bowler | Bought at 2026 mini auction (INR 30 lakh) |
| Vihaan Malhotra | Batter | Bought at 2026 mini auction (INR 30 lakh) |
| Kanishk Chouhan | All-rounder | Bought at 2026 mini auction (INR 30 lakh) |
Retention outlook ahead of the December mini auction
The IPL 2027 auction is the final mini auction of the 2023–27 cycle, so franchises are largely expected to keep their cores intact and plug gaps rather than rebuild. For the back-to-back champions, that logic applies with particular force. The reported timeline is: retention lists around mid-November 2026 (Cricbuzz reports 15 November, not formally confirmed by the BCCI), with the auction in Goa in December — IPL chairman Arun Dhumal pointing to the second week, tentatively 13 to 16 December.
What that means for RCB:
- The certain retentions: Kohli, Patidar, Salt, Jitesh, Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar are as close to untouchable as it gets.
- The 2026 auction buys: Venkatesh Iyer, Jacob Duffy and Mangesh Yadav were bought as specific upgrades — RCB are unlikely to cut them after one season.
- The fringe decisions: players who barely featured in 2026 could be released to free up slots and funds.
- Positions of need: a squad this settled needs little. Expect RCB to shop for a backup Indian seamer and perhaps another spin option in Goa.
None of the official retention or release decisions have been announced yet. When the lists drop in mid-November, this page will be updated with the confirmed RCB IPL 2027 squad.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the captain of RCB in IPL 2027?
Rajat Patidar remains the RCB captain as of October 2026, having led the franchise to back-to-back IPL titles in 2025 and 2026. Nothing about the 2027 captaincy will be formally confirmed until the retention lists are announced around mid-November 2026, but a change looks very unlikely.
Who is the head coach of Royal Challengers Bengaluru?
Andy Flower is the RCB head coach, with Dinesh Karthik as batting coach and mentor. Both oversaw the back-to-back championship campaigns in 2025 and 2026, and no coaching changes have been announced for 2027.
How many IPL titles has RCB won?
Two — their maiden title in 2025, when they beat Punjab Kings by 6 runs in the final at Ahmedabad, and a successful defence in 2026, when they beat Gujarat Titans in the final at Ahmedabad.
Who owns RCB?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru are owned by United Spirits Limited, a Diageo company, through Royal Challengers Sports Pvt. Ltd. The franchise plays its home matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
When is the IPL 2027 mini auction?
December 2026 in Goa. The BCCI has confirmed the venue but not the exact date — reports point to the second week of December, tentatively 13 to 16 December.
What is the IPL 2027 retention deadline?
Franchises are reportedly required to submit retention lists by 15 November 2026, per Cricbuzz. The BCCI has not formally confirmed the date, so treat it as reported rather than official.
Conclusion
The RCB IPL 2027 squad picture is the envy of the league: back-to-back champions with their captain, coach, core and identity all settled, heading into one last mini auction of the cycle with only small gaps to fill. Whether Rajat Patidar can make it a three-peat in 2027 — something no franchise has ever done — will be the season’s biggest storyline. Until the retention lists land in November and the Goa auction gavel falls in December, Bengaluru’s 2027 shape stays officially TBA. The champions, though, are in no hurry to change a thing.
