'Venkatesh Iyer May Not Be In RCB Playing Eleven...': Anil Kumble Makes Bold Prediction On Bengaluru's Lineup For IPL 2026
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) were involved in a bidding war with Venkatesh Iyer's former side Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the IPL 2026 mini-auction before securing his service for Rs. 7 crore.
Dec 26, 2025, 21:23 PM IST
RCB's Predicted Playing XI For IPL 2026: Virat Kohli, Phil Salt To Open; Venkatesh Iyer And Tim David To Bat At...
Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) retained a strong core of 17 players and made targeted additions in the IPL 2026 mini-auction on December 16 in Abu Dhabi. RCB focused on depth by buying players like all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer and pacer Jacob Duffy, while adding backups such as Mangesh Yadav, Jordan Cox, and young talents.
Notably, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will enter an IPL season as the defending champions for the first time in their history.
Here's RCB's predicted Playing XI and Impact Player for IPL 2026 season:
Dec 21, 2025, 23:07 PM IST
IPL 2026 Auction Top Targets For RCB, CSK, MI, KKR, PBKS, GT, LSG, DC, RR, SRH Ahead Of New Season - Check In Pics
The stage is set for the much-anticipated IPL 2026 mini-auction, set to be held on Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Unlike a mega-auction, this one-day mini IPL auction focuses on filling gaps rather than full rebuilds, with teams aiming to bolster their cores for the upcoming 19th edition of the cash-rich league.
With big names like Cameron Green, Liam Livingstone, Ravi Bishnoi, and Venkatesh Iyer going under the hammer, and with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) holding the largest purse, expect fireworks and record-breaking bids during the IPL 2026 mini-auction.
Here's a breakdown of what each of the 10 teams desperately needs heading into the IPL 2026 auction and upcoming season:
Dec 15, 2025, 18:56 PM IST
4 Players RCB Might Target At IPL 2026 Auction: Venkatesh Iyer, Mustafizur Rahman And...
After winning their first Indian Premier League (IPL) title in 2025, defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) enter the 2026 mini-auction with a settled core of 17 retained players, including stars like Virat Kohli, captain Rajat Patidar, Phil Salt, Josh Hazlewood, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar and others.
With Rs 16.4 crore left in their purse and eight slots to fill (including two overseas), RCB's strategy is likely to revolve around bringing reinforcements in middle-order batting depth, foreign and Indian pace options - avoiding a full overhaul to preserve their title-winning balance.
Here are four players RCB might strategically target at the IPL 2026 auction:
Dec 13, 2025, 17:08 PM IST
IPL 2026 Auction: Date, Venues, Remaining Purse, Player Slots, Cameron Green As Hot Pick, Live Streaming Focus On CSK, KKR - All You Need To Know
The countdown has officially begun for the IPL 2026 mini-auction, a crucial and highly anticipated event where franchises will fine-tune their squads ahead of the 19th edition of the cash-rich league. Unlike a mega-auction, this one-day affair focuses on filling gaps rather than full rebuilds, with teams aiming to bolster their cores for the upcoming season.
Here's everything you need to know about the upcoming IPL 2026 auction:
Dec 12, 2025, 23:16 PM IST
Top 10 Players Who Are Likely To Be Key Targets For RCB, CSK, MI, KKR, PBKS, GT, LSG, DC, RR, SRH At IPL 2026 Auction - Check In Pics
The IPL 2026 mini-auction, set for December 16, 2025 in Abu Dhabi, features a pool of 359 shortlisted players (245 Indian, 114 overseas), with 77 slots available across the 10 franchises, including 31 for overseas players. This one-day event focuses on targeted upgrades rather than overhauls, with teams entering with varying purses (e.g., KKR at Rs 64.3 crore for a potential rebuild, MI at just Rs 2.75 crore for selective tweaks).
With limited spots available and a handful of genuine match-winners on the table, several high-profile players like Cameron Green, Liam Livingstone, Venkatesh Prasad and others are expected to see their value soar, potentially breaking the bank for the teams that manage to secure them.
Here are the big names who are likely to be the key targets of teams at the IPL 2026 auction:
Dec 09, 2025, 23:47 PM IST
4 Players LSG Might Target At IPL 2026 Auction: Matheesha Pathirana, Venkatesh Iyer And...
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will enter the IPL 2026 mini-auction on December 16 in Abu Dhabi with Rs 22.95 crore in their purse and six slots to fill including four overseas. After a seventh-place finish in IPL 2025, LSG have retained a strong core around captain Rishabh Pant, including Nicholas Pooran, Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, and new trade-ins like Mohammed Shami.
Ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction, LSG's key gaps include a middle-order finisher after David Miller's release, an overseas pacer, a frontline Indian spinner after Ravi Bishnoi's exit, and all-rounder depth. Their strategy will focus on versatile, high-impact players to build a title-contending squad under coach Justin Langer.
Here are four players LSG might actively target at IPL 2026 auction:
Dec 06, 2025, 23:16 PM IST
Meet Players With Rs 2 Crore Base Price For IPL 2026 Auction From Each Country: Australia's Cameron Green, Sri Lanka's Matheesha Pathirana And...
A total of 1,355 players have signed up for the IPL 2026 mini-auction, including top stars from every major cricketing nation. Among them is an exclusive group of players who have set a base price of Rs 2 crore. Here’s the full country-wise list of all cricketers in the highest base-price bracket.
Dec 02, 2025, 20:48 PM IST
4 Players KKR Might Target At IPL 2026 Auction: Cameron Green, Matheesha Pathirana And...
After a disappointing 8th-place finish in IPL 2025, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have undergone a major squad overhaul and released high-profile underperformers like Andre Russell, Venkatesh Iyer, Quinton de Kock, and Anrich Nortje to enter the 2026 mini-auction in Abu Dhabi with the league's largest purse of Rs 64.3 crore and 13 slots to fill.
KKR's retained core featuring Sunil Narine, Varun Chakaravarthy, Rinku Singh, Harshit Rana, and Angkrish Raghuvanshi - provides a strong spin and middle-order base, but gaps remain in opening batting, wicketkeeping, all-round depth, and pace bowling.
Here are four high-profile players KKR might actively target at the IPL 2026 auction:
Dec 02, 2025, 17:39 PM IST
Top 10 Indian Players Who Have Registered For IPL 2026 Auction: Ravi Bishnoi, Venkatesh Iyer To Prithvi Shaw - Check Full List
Over a thousand players have registered for the Indian Premier League (IPL) mini-auction, and 16 capped Indian players have registered their names for the table pool. Here are the top 10 players who may gain big at auction.
Dec 02, 2025, 16:03 PM IST
4 Players RCB Might Target At IPL 2026 Auction: Venkatesh Iyer, Akash Madhwal And...
After winning their first Indian Premier League (IPL) title in 2025, defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) enter the 2026 mini-auction with a settled core of 17 retained players, including stars like Virat Kohli, captain Rajat Patidar, Phil Salt, Josh Hazlewood, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar and others.
With Rs 16.4 crore left in their purse and eight slots to fill (including two overseas), RCB's strategy is likely to revolve around bringing reinforcements in middle-order batting depth, foreign and Indian pace options - avoiding a full overhaul to preserve their title-winning balance.
Here are four players RCB might strategically target at the IPL 2026 auction:
Nov 24, 2025, 18:03 PM IST
4 Players KKR Might Target At IPL 2026 Auction: Cameron Green, Matheesha Pathirana And...
After a disappointing 8th-place finish in IPL 2025, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have undergone a major squad overhaul and released high-profile underperformers like Andre Russell, Venkatesh Iyer, Quinton de Kock, and Anrich Nortje to enter the 2026 mini-auction in Abu Dhabi with the league's largest purse of Rs 64.3 crore and 13 slots to fill.
KKR's retained core featuring Sunil Narine, Varun Chakaravarthy, Rinku Singh, Harshit Rana, and Angkrish Raghuvanshi - provides a strong spin and middle-order base, but gaps remain in opening batting, wicketkeeping, all-round depth, and pace bowling.
Here are four high-profile players KKR might actively target at the IPL 2026 auction:
Nov 17, 2025, 18:26 PM IST
Andre Russell To Liam Livingston: Top 10 Most Expensive Releases From KKR, CSK, LSG, DC, RCB, Ahead Of IPL 2026 Mini Auction - In Pics
Ahead of the IPL 2026 mini auction, franchises made several bold and unexpected decisions by releasing some of their most expensive players. Here are the top 10 most expensive releases from the franchises.
Nov 16, 2025, 08:08 AM IST
KKR Retained And Released Players List Ahead Of IPL 2026 Auction: Russell & Venkatesh Iyer Released, Rahane Retained, Biggest Purse Ahead Of Auctions
Kolkata Knight Riders have submitted their official list with their retained and released players ahead of IPL 2026 mini auction. Check the complete player list along with their price.
Nov 15, 2025, 13:39 PM IST
Venkatesh Iyer To Mayank Yadav: Top 10 Players Who Are Likely To Be Released By RCB, CSK, MI, KKR, PBKS, GT, LSG, DC, RR, SRH Before IPL 2026 Auction - Check In Pics
As the Indian Premier League (IPL) retention deadline approaches on November 15, 2025, franchises are finalizing their squads for the mini-auction scheduled for December 16 in Abu Dhabi.
With no restrictions on retention (up to 25 players per team), most teams are opting for minor tweaks rather than overhauls. However, underperforming stars, injury-hit players, and high-salary mismatches are set to hit the auction block, freeing up purses for targeted buys like star all-rounders Cameron Green and others.
Here's list of top 10 high-profile players who are likely to be released before IPL 2026 auction:
Nov 14, 2025, 19:32 PM IST
Should KKR Release Venkatesh Iyer Ahead Of IPL 2026 Auction? Aaron Finch Gives Bold Verdict
Venkatesh Iyer, who was picked by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for a whopping Rs. 23.75 crore during the IPL 2025 mega-auction. However, Venkatesh failed to deliver for KKR with the bat during the IPL 2025 season.
Nov 11, 2025, 21:27 PM IST
5 Players KKR Might Release To Increase IPL 2026 Auction Purse: Venkatesh Iyer, Quinton de Kock And...
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) had a disappointing IPL 2025 season under Ajinkya Rahane's captaincy, finishing eighth with just five wins in 14 matches and failing to qualify for the playoffs.
After their ordinary performance in IPL 2025, the three-times champions KKR are expected to make strategic realignments before the next season. The Kolkata-based franchise are likely to release several under-performing players to increase their purse before the IPL 2026 auction and buy some impactful performers for the next season.
Here's list of players whom KKR might release to increase IPL 2026 auction purse:
Nov 08, 2025, 18:14 PM IST
4 Players KKR Might Release Before IPL 2026 Auction: Venkatesh Iyer, Quinton de Kock And...
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) had a disappointing IPL 2025 season under Ajinkya Rahane's captaincy, finishing eighth with just five wins in 14 matches and failing to qualify for the playoffs. After their ordinary performance in IPL 2025, the three-times champions KKR are expected to make strategic realignments before the next season. The Kolkata-based franchise are likely to release several under-performing players to increase their purse before the IPL 2026 auction and buy some impactful performers for the next season.
Here's list of players whom KKR might release before IPL 2026 auction:
Oct 13, 2025, 16:59 PM IST
4 Players KKR Might Release Before IPL 2026 Auction: Venkatesh Iyer, Quinton de Kock And...
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) had a disappointing IPL 2025 season, finishing eighth with just five wins in 14 matches and failing to reach the playoffs. After their ordinary performance in IPL 2025, the three-times champions KKR are expected to make strategic realignments before the next season. KKR are likely to release several under-performing players to increase their purse before the IPL 2026 auction and buy some impactful performers for the next season.
Here's list of players whom KKR might release before IPL 2026 auction:
Sep 27, 2025, 21:06 PM IST
'Those People Are Not Even On My Contact List' : Venkatesh Iyer Reacts On KKR's 23.75 Cr Tag Amidst Trade Rumours
Venkatesh Iyer’s IPL 2025 season with Kolkata Knight Riders was shaped as much by expectations as by performance. Purchased for a record ₹23.75 crore, he faced intense public scrutiny and constant comparisons between his price tag and returns.
Aug 13, 2025, 22:00 PM IST