RCB's IPL 2026 campaign starts

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), who finally ended their long wait for an IPL title earlier this year, are already turning their focus to the next season. With the IPL mini auction only a few months away, the franchise management has started preparations to assemble a strong squad for their title defence.

The Bengaluru-based franchise had a best-ever season in IPL 2025. They secured their maiden title with a victory over the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the final clash, where they secured a six-run victory at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Both batters and bowlers stepped up throughout the tournament.

RCB Have Started Preparations for IPL 2026 Ahead of the Mini Auction

Royal Challengers Bengaluru have started their preparations for the next IPL season. In a post shared by the franchise on social media, head coach Andy Flower, Director of Cricket Mo Bobat, Chairman Prathmesh Mishra, and Vice President Rajesh V Menon were seen together.

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“Reset. Refocus. Restart. Think Tank reunites for Mission IPL 2026,” wrote the caption.

Reset. Refocus. Restart. 🔂

Think Tank reunites for Mission #IPL2026🫡 pic.twitter.com/43b2HrRSKo

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) September 24, 2025

The meeting appears to have taken place in London. Bobat is also involved with the Hundred’s London Spirit. Virat Kohli’s presence in the planning cannot be ruled out.

Kohli is the key player of the franchise and has spent his entire IPL career with RCB. He resides in London and was recently spotted there with his wife, Anushka Sharma. The star batter has been retained by the franchise for ₹21 crore until 2027.

Virat Kohli Instrumental in RCB’s Maiden IPL Title Triumph

Virat Kohli played a crucial role with the bat in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s maiden IPL title triumph in 2025. He, known as the backbone of the franchise’s batting lineup, once again delivered a superb season.

The star batter was RCB’s top run-scorer, amassing 657 runs from 15 innings at an average of 54.75 and a strike rate of 144.71 with eight half-centuries.

Kohli also made a crucial contribution in the final. The right-handed batter scored 43 runs off 35 balls to help Bengaluru post 190/9. Their bowlers then restricted the Punjab Kings to 184/7, sealing the historic victory.

He has been part of the franchise since the inaugural IPL in 2008. The batter has scored 8,661 runs in 267 matches at an average of 39.55 and a strike rate of 132.86, with eight hundreds and 63 fifties. He is RCB’s and the tournament’s all-time highest run-getter.

RCB Ended An 18-year Wait for an IPL Title

Royal Challengers Bengaluru ended their 18-year wait for an IPL title in 2025. They have been part of the league since its inaugural season in 2008. The team reached the final in 2009, 2011, and 2016 but had never won the trophy.

RCB consistently reached the playoffs (2020, 2021, 2022, and 2024) but fell short of the final. The team finished second in the points table during IPL 2025, securing nine wins and 19 points from 14 matches.

RCB defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS) by eight wickets in the first qualifier and then overcame the same team by six runs in the final to claim their maiden IPL title. New captain Rajat Patidar became the first RCB skipper to lead the team to championship glory.

Also read: Ravichandran Ashwin to play with Pakistan captain in the same team in Big Bash League