Samira Vishwas
Tezzbuzz|18-03-2026
3. Rasikh Salam: In this list, we have placed Jammu and Kashmir’s fast bowler Rasik Salam at number three. Before RCB, this 25 year old bowler has also been a part of big franchises like Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals. He has the ability to swing the new ball and has taken 50 wickets in 42 T20 matches so far. Apart from this he has experience of 13 IPL matches. Know that RCB has retained him for Rs 6 crores. In such a situation, it is possible that in the absence of Josh Hazlewood, he may get a chance in the playing XI.
2. Nuwan Thushara: The second player included in our list is Sri Lankan fast bowler Nuwan Thushara. This 31 year old bowler bowls with the action of great bowler Lasith Malinga and is known for his accurate yorker. Please note that Nuwan Thushara has taken 174 wickets in 137 T20 matches so far. He has been retained by RCB for Rs 1.60 crore. In such a situation, he is also a big contender to be included in RCB XI in the absence of Josh Hazlewood.
1. Jacob Duffy: In the absence of Josh Hazlewood, the biggest contender to be included in the XI of Royal Challengers Bangalore is New Zealand fast bowler Jacob Duffy. The special thing is that RCB has bought this 31 year old bowler in the auction for only Rs 2 crores. Please note that Jacob Duffy was recently the number-1 bowler in T20 International. He has the ability to bowl swing in the powerplay and add good variations in the death overs. Jacob Duffy has 189 wickets in his name in 168 T20 matches. This is why we have placed them at the first place in our list.
RCB’s full squad for IPL 2026: Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (captain), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Jitesh Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma, Abhinandan Singh, Jacob Bethel, Nuwan Thushara, Rasikh Dar, Swapnil Singh, Venkatesh Iyer, Jacob Duffy, Satwik Deswal, Mangesh Yadav, Jordan Cox, Vicky Otswal, Vihaan Malhotra, Kanishk Chauhan.
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