Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has weighed in on Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) plans forward of the IPL 2026 public sale, calling the defending champions a “very settled unit” whereas highlighting a number of key gamers who might be underneath the scanner because the franchise strategizes its retention and launch record.
RCB’s Sturdy Core Impresses Pathan
Pathan, talking on his YouTube channel, praised RCB’s retained core and the consistency inside the enjoying XI that featured within the IPL 2025 ultimate. In line with him, eight gamers from the XI had received Participant of the Match awards in the course of the season, showcasing the power and depth of the squad. “RCB is a really settled unit. When you see the XI that performed the ultimate, eight of them had received the Participant of the Match awards. They had been fairly constant. These gamers will once more be in focus,” Pathan mentioned.
He famous that RCB’s abroad contingent, together with skilled match-winners, seems balanced and unlikely to be tinkered with closely forward of the mega public sale.
Highlight on Liam Livingstone’s Future
One of many huge speaking factors for RCB, in accordance with Pathan, is the way forward for Liam Livingstone. Purchased for Rs 8.75 crore, the English all-rounder had a modest season, scoring solely 112 runs at a strike price of 133, whereas additionally bowling 9 overs throughout the competitors. Pathan acknowledged Livingstone’s 25(15) cameo within the ultimate however felt RCB might ponder sending him again into the public sale pool.
“Livingstone can be a speaking level. RCB spent ₹8.75 crore on him, however he made solely 112 runs. Extra was anticipated of him. They may consider releasing him to purchase him again at a greater worth,” he famous.
Rasikh Salam Beneath Consideration
One other participant who might be mentioned is Rasikh Salam, who price RCB ₹6 crore however didn’t make the affect the workforce hoped for. Pathan emphasised that whereas Salam is a talented bowler able to misleading slower balls, RCB might consider whether or not he justifies his price ticket, particularly in a tightly managed public sale purse.
“He is an efficient bowler, however RCB will assume if they will put him within the public sale and purchase him again at a lesser worth,” Pathan added.
RCB May Free Up Rs 15 Crore
If each Livingstone and Salam are launched, RCB may release Rs 15 crore, giving them strong monetary flexibility heading into the 2026 mega public sale. Such an quantity might be very important for strengthening their bench depth or investing in specialist bowlers to enrich their robust batting lineup.