In a significant move that sets the stage for the next Indian Premier League season, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have officially announced their list of retained and released players for IPL 2026. The defending champions made the revelation on Saturday, November 15, 2025, just ahead of the crucial player auctions.
The Core of the Champions Stays Intact
The franchise, riding high on the success of its maiden IPL trophy win in 2025, has decided to keep faith with the core group that brought them glory. RCB confirmed that they have retained 17 players who will form the initial squad for the 2026 campaign. The official team handle on X (formerly Twitter) shared the news with two poignant posts, signaling both gratitude for the past and ambition for the future.
One post, thanking the 'Class of 2025', read: "RCB’s Class of 2025 was a vibe, thanks to each one of you! We’re grateful for the part you played in making 2025 our most memorable campaign ever!" This was followed by the announcement of the retained stars with the caption: "They gave us our first trophy, and they’re coming HOME to do it all over again. Presenting, the first 17 entrants of RCB’s #ClassOf2026."
Strategic Decisions for a New Campaign
This retention strategy underscores RCB's intent to build a dynasty rather than rest on the laurels of a single victory. By holding on to the majority of their title-winning squad, the management has prioritized stability and team chemistry. The list of released players, while not detailed in the initial announcement, will free up purse money for the franchise to target specific gaps during the IPL 2026 auction.
The announcement, made on November 15, 2025, and reported by the DH Web Desk on November 16, 2025, at 05:49 IST, has sent waves of excitement through the massive RCB fanbase, known as the '12th Man Army'.
What This Means for RCB's IPL 2026 Prospects
Retaining 17 players provides RCB with a significant head start. It allows the team to maintain the winning momentum and combination that worked so effectively in the 2025 season. The team culture, famously referred to as the '#PlayBold' ethos, remains undisturbed. The focus will now shift to the auction, where the team management will look to strategically supplement this strong core with new talent to address any remaining weaknesses and build a squad capable of defending the coveted IPL trophy.
For fans, this news is a reassurance that the heroes who ended the long wait for a championship will be back to entertain at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, aiming to create another memorable chapter in the team's history.
