Virat-Kohli-and-Swastik-Chikara. (Photo Source: Royal Challengers Bengaluru)

While there is no doubt over the raw talent and abilities that Swastik Chikara has as an up-and-coming batter. In fact, the Ghaziabad-born has drawn the attention of two top-tier IPL franchises like Delhi Capitals (DC) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Chikara, despite being a hard-hitting batter, could not find a spot in the Playing XI for the entire season with RCB’s victorious season in 2025, since the side had a very power-packed line-up among the finishers, including Romario Shepherd, Jitesh Sharma, and Tim David.

Now for the 2026 season, Chikara has been released by RCB and the defending champions will be looking out for an uncapped player as his replacement. However, getting a batter may not be a suitable choice, as the side wants more all-rounders and bowlers as the perfect backups to their core squad. Today, CricTracker lists down three such uncapped cricketers who can be picked by the Rajat Patidar-led squad at the IPL 2026 auction, set to take place on December 16 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Here are 3 uncapped options that RCB have over Swastik Chikara for IPL 2026 Auction 3. Manav Suthar Manav Suthar(Photo Source: twitter)

The slow left-arm orthodox spin of Manav Suthar has made a rapid rise into the ranks of the Indian domestic set-up. With his skilled bowling, offering variations, and taking wickets at crucial stages, Suthar has the skills to play the perfect spin-bowling strength for the Bengaluru-based franchise. The Sri Ganganagar-born also has the ability to provide some runs with the bat, especially when the team is in a dire need.

The 23-year-old, as a result, provides the best replacement for someone like Krunal Pandya if the star all-rounder gets injured or is not available to take part due to unprecedented reasons. He also has shared the dressing room with the Gujarat Titans set-up in 2024, but got only one match, where he had a forgettable maiden outing.

2. Auqib Nabi Auqib Nabi. (Photo source: BCCI)

The Jammu & Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi has been making a lot of noise, and while Mumbai Indians are reported to be the front-runners to bag the express pacer at the IPL 2026 auction, no one can stop RCB from getting his services at the auction table, if they find him for a sweet price point. Nabi has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket for the last couple of seasons, and it seems like the time has finally come when he is set to reap the rewards.

RCB know that they have an experienced pacer like Bhuvneshwar Kumar, but he is not getting any younger, and the franchise must keep this in mind to have backup pace-bowling options. While the India star has the mastery to bowl in the powerplay overs, RCB can use Auqib Nabi as the Impact Substitute for a few overs at the death if the need be. The two can also form a very deadly duo, bowling across phases in tandem.

1. Saransh Jain

Saransh Jain is an off-spin bowler and a left-handed batter from Madhya Pradesh, who has made the scouts take a note of his exceptional all-round skills through staggering performances on the field. He was the Player of the Series in the recently-concluded Duleep Trophy 2025-26, helping the Central Zone lift the trophy. Then came the Ranji Trophy, where he carried his form, and has already scored close to 400 runs and around 19 wickets, helping MP win games from crucial situations as well.

What’s going to help the best is that Saransh has grown up playing alongside Rajat Patidar when both were in their Under-12 playing days. Rajat shares a great camaraderie with Saransh, and understands his strengths that can help the all-rounder chip in with useful contributions to help RCB’s case. As a result, RCB will not shy away from raising the padel for Saransh Jain, given his exceptional talent and plethora of experience in domestic cricket.