Ravichandran Ashwin has predicted a period of sustained dominance for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, asserting that the defending champions possess the necessary "building blocks" to add a second IPL trophy to their cabinet within the next two seasons. Analyzing the roster on his digital platform, Ashwin suggested that the 2025 mega-auction rebuild has successfully shifted the franchise away from its historical over-dependence on individual star power toward a more balanced, role-specific unit. While the team faces early-season uncertainty regarding the fitness of Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood, Ashwin categorized the situation as a tactical advantage that allows the side to maximize their aggressive overseas batting resources.
RCB 2026 Squad and the Case of Venkatesh Iyer
The 2025 mega auction saw RCB undertake a radical transformation, retaining only Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dayal before investing heavily in a new core. Despite RCB securing the services of Venkatesh Iyer for ₹7 crore, Ashwin notably left the left-handed all-rounder out of his preferred starting line-up. Ashwin stated that the current package is designed to "finish in the top two," praising the like-for-like replacements available in the squad. He argued that the batting order is now more flexible, allowing the team to move away from the "star-heavy" criticisms of previous years.
RCB Foreign Players and Josh Hazlewood’s Absence
Ashwin singled out RCB’s overseas players as a primary strength, labeling the combination of Phil Salt, Jacob Bethell, Tim David, and Romario Shepherd as "probably the best four foreigners you can get" in the tournament. Regarding the injury to Josh Hazlewood, Ashwin noted that his unavailability at the start of the 2026 season could be a "blessing in disguise." He explained that it forces RCB to play both Salt and Bethell, providing a clearer picture of their form before Hazlewood returns to a bowling attack that already includes veterans like Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Krunal Pandya.
R Ashwin’s Projected RCB Playing XI for 2026
In his tactical breakdown, Ashwin proposed a line-up focused on high-strike-rate batting and varied bowling options. His probable XI consists of: Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Jacob Bethell, Rajat Patidar, Jitesh Sharma, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mangesh Yadav, and Yash Dayal, with Suyash Sharma utilized as the Impact Sub. Notably, Ashwin suggested that if the bowling "leaks a lot," the team has the depth to swap Mangesh Yadav for Jacob Duffy or a fit-again Hazlewood, ensuring the squad can handle the "ups and downs" of a long tournament.
