Abu Dhabi, (UNI) Royal Challengers Bengaluru bolstered their squad with eight additions at the TATA IPL 2026 Player Auction, headlined by the signing of Indian allrounder Venkatesh Iyer for Rs 7 crore.
The defending champions also secured New Zealand fast bowler Jacob Duffy for Rs 2 crore, adding further strength to their pace resources. Among the notable domestic acquisitions was left-arm pacer and lower-order batsman Mangesh Yadav, who was bought for Rs 5.2 crore, making him the fourth-highest uncapped Indian pick of the day.
RCB enhanced their batting depth with the inclusion of England wicketkeeper-batter Jordan Cox for Rs 75 lakh. The franchise also invested in youth by signing 18-year-old Satvik Deswal for INR 30 lakh. Deswal, who has been part of RCB’s ecosystem as a net bowler over the last two seasons, impressed the team management with his composure and additional spin-bowling options.
Continuing their focus on emerging talent, RCB picked up India Under-19 allrounders Vihaan Malhotra, Vicky Ostwal and Kanishk Chouhan, all at their base price of Rs 30 lakh each.
Speaking on the acquisition of Venkatesh Iyer, RCB head coach Andy Flower said the franchise had been keen on the allrounder for the second consecutive year and rated him highly as a competitor with strong leadership qualities.
RCB Director of Cricket Mo Bobat expressed satisfaction with the auction outcomes, stating that the franchise was pleased to acquire both Iyer and Duffy at what it considered good value, given their quality and recent performances.
Bobat noted that with the core of the squad already retained, the focus of the auction was on strengthening depth and providing injury cover. He added that the team’s objective remained to assemble a balanced squad capable of delivering consistent performances on the field.
Summing up RCB’s auction strategy, Bobat said the approach was based on clear planning and budgets rather than chasing bargain buys, adding that securing targeted players below expected prices was always a positive outcome.
RCB signings at the TATA IPL 2026 Player Auction: Venkatesh Iyer, Jacob Duffy, Mangesh Yadav, Jordan Cox, Satvik Deswal, Vihaan Malhotra, Vicky Ostwal and Kanishk Chouhan.
Retained players: Rajat Patidar, Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Krunal Pandya, Josh Hazlewood, Tim David, Jitesh Sharma, Devdutt Padikkal, Nuwan Thushara, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jacob Bethell, Romario Shepherd, Suyash Sharma, Swapnil Singh, Yash Dayal, Abhinandan Singh and Rasikh Dar.
Venkatesh Iyer headlines RCB’s IPL signings
