- RCB begin IPL 2026 title defence after historic 2025 win, retaining core squad.
- Kohli-led batting strength and smart signings boost RCB title defence hopes.
- Bowling depth concerns could impact RCB title defence chances.
RCB title defence begins with history made
Memories of last summer will still be fresh in the minds of Royal Challengers Bengaluru players, staff and fans alike. That fateful June day did more than just deliver a long-awaited IPL title. It brought an end to the tag of the IPL’s greatest “chokers” and provided the crowning jewel in Virat Kohli’s otherwise immaculate career.
Now, IPL 2026 looms on the horizon and a fresh range of opposition sides are vying to dethrone Bengaluru. The auction proved dramatic, with debutants, surprise moves and vast spending purses being splashed on both international and home-grown talent. Yet, RCB managed to maintain their core title-winning group and appear well set to mount a serious RCB title defence push.
A final that defined the RCB title defence narrative
I had the honour of live-blogging the final, and even then, the scale of the occasion was getting to me. Each typed update grew more frantic as the climax drew nearer. Then came the image of Kohli holding the trophy aloft, surrounded by a flurry of red confetti, almost overawed by the magnitude of what he had completed.
It was cricketing spectacle at its finest and a perfect conclusion to the world’s premier short-form competition.
RCB had endured 17 seasons of heartbreak before claiming the 2025 IPL at the Narendra Modi Stadium, and were often the subject of endless ridicule and the butt of countless jokes. Yet, that squad, now forever immortalised, held firm and proved doubters wrong.
Kohli’s influence
Kohli shouldered the bulk of the team’s run-scoring responsibilities, finishing with 657 runs at an average of 54.75, with only three players scoring more across the tournament. Not only were his runs crucial throughout, they often came in key moments.
None were more important than in the final against Punjab Kings, where his composed 43 from 35 deliveries helped set up the famous victory and laid the platform for what now fuels this RCB title defence.
Match-winning bowlers in key moments
With the ball, Josh Hazlewood was RCB’s leading wicket-taker, claiming 22 scalps from just 12 matches at an average of 17.54, while maintaining an economy-rate below 9 runs per over.
Though in the final itself, it was Krunal Pandya who shone brightest. His two wickets and economy of 4.25 helped stifle the scoring and guide RCB to their long-awaited golden moment.
Why the RCB title defence looks realistic in 2026
As mentioned earlier, the core of this group remains intact, and that consistency, along with pre-established chemistry, is central to why an RCB title defence is very much on the cards.
Captain Rajat Patidar continues his tenure as a capable leader, steering the side alongside the ever-present influence of Kohli.
Around them, there is plenty to be excited about. Devdutt Padikkal has found encouraging form in recent months, while Phil Salt remains one of the most dangerous white-ball openers in world cricket right now.
The recruitment has also been smart. Venkatesh Iyer arrives with the potential to make a big impact despite a quieter previous season, while young English talent Jacob Bethell adds a fearless edge. His explosive century in the T20 World Cup showed exactly the kind of damage he can do if given opportunities.
Middle-order firepower strengthens RCB
Further down the order, Jitesh Sharma, Tim David, and Romario Shepherd are all capable of producing game-changing cameos.
This gives RCB a well-balanced batting line-up that blends youth, experience and serious firepower, another key reason why this RCB title defence looks credible.
Bowling concerns that could impact the RCB title defence
There are, however, a few areas of concern, most notably within the bowling attack.
Hazlewood is still dealing with injury issues that were evident during Australia’s recent Ashes campaign, and that could keep him out of the early matches. This places a heavier burden on experienced figures such as Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jacob Duffy to lead the attack.
Both are proven performers, but over a long and demanding tournament, questions remain about whether there is enough depth to sustain a full RCB title defence.
Verdict on the RCB title defence chances
On the whole, RCB have done good business and, crucially, kept together the central hub of what delivered that historic victory only months ago.
Perhaps even more importantly, they have shed the weight of history. The narrative of underachievement and near-misses is gone. This is now a side that knows how to get the job done.
With a well-balanced squad, plenty of batting firepower, and a renewed sense of belief, the foundations are there. If the bowling unit can hold up across the tournament, then this RCB title defence has every chance of going the distance.
Back-to-back titles are no longer a dream. They are a very real possibility.
Check out the full IPL 2026 fixture list to follow RCB’s title defence throughout the tournament.
