Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) ended their 18-year drought by winning IPL 2025, but retaining the title brings fresh challenges. The champions must maintain a winning core while addressing weaknesses revealed in high-stakes games. With key signings already in place, RCB has the perfect platform to pursue players who add depth and variety in IPL 2026.

Aiming for Back-to-Back Win

The trade window is a chance to strengthen batting, bolster the pace and spin attack, and add versatile all-rounders. For fans tracking RCB trade targets in IPL 2026 and assessing potential RCB player trade targets, the season promises excitement as the franchise balances experience with dynamic recruits to aim for back-to-back triumph.

RCB Squad Overview Before IPL 2026

Royal Challengers Bengaluru came into IPL 2026 with almost a complete squad, having utilised ₹119.25 crore of their budget, leaving only ₹0.75 crore to complete last-minute exchanges. The team acquired 22 out of 25 available spots, completing all 8 overseas roles. The team has a mix of veteran stalwarts such as Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, along with game-changing new additions like Josh Hazlewood, Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone, and Jacob Bethell.

RCB’s team composition is a blend of Indian cricketers and foreign firepower in all departments, batting, bowling, and all-rounders. Young domestic players such as Yash Dayal, Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Salam, and Swapnil Singh provide depth, while experienced internationals provide experience under pressure. The strategic blend of big hitters, solid pacers, spinners, and adaptable all-rounders in the team ensures flexibility in batting and bowling rotations.

3 Recommended RCB Trade Targets for IPL 2026

This even-strength roster sets the stage for IPL 2026 nicely, making RCB a force to reckon with as defending champions and a team to watch during RCB trade targets in IPL 2026. While the current squad appears largely complete, RCB could still consider adding the following players to further strengthen the team across all departments.

Glenn Phillips

Role: Wicket-keeper Batter / All-rounder (New Zealand)
Current Team: Gujarat Titans

28-year-old Glenn Phillips is a unique three-dimensional asset in the IPL. He provides explosive hitting, sharp fielding, wicketkeeping, and occasional off-spinning, making him a complete package for any team. Preoccupied with New Zealand and other franchise leagues, Phillips played IPL 2025 for the Gujarat Titans and repeatedly demonstrated his capability of finishing games under pressure.

GLENN PHILLIPS – THE CRAZIEST MAN IN THE WORLD. 🤯🔥 pic.twitter.com/nAxiPSqdlE

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 2, 2025

For RCB player trade targets, Phillips offers aggressive middle-order punch that suits the presence of Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar. His skill of bowling in key places, taking over as a wicketkeeper when required, and chipping in with spin bowling make him the perfect versatile choice. Phillips has the capacity to turn the tide of a game in a matter of overs, which is exactly what RCB trade targets in IPL 2026 are meant to achieve.

Washington Sundar

Role: All-rounder (India)
Current Team: Gujarat Titans

Washington Sundar has established himself as a reliable all-rounder, ready to contribute with bat and ball. For the Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025, he made his debut and impressed straight away with a 49-run cameo off 29 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad, and also claimed the crucial wicket of Ajinkya Rahane in a different game. Sundar’s off-spin is reliable in controlling the middle overs, and his batting adds depth to the lineup.

3️⃣ 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑊𝑎𝑠ℎ𝑖 😍 pic.twitter.com/autb6iNev2

— Gujarat Titans (@gujarat_titans) July 21, 2025

For RCB trade targets in IPL 2026, Sundar provides balance, tactical flexibility, and experience in pressure situations. He can be used to stabilize innings, rotate strike, or accelerate when needed, giving RCB multiple options in both batting and bowling, which is crucial for defending the title in a competitive IPL season. RCB player trade targets like Sundar exemplify the type of versatile talent RCB looks for in the trade window.

Mukesh Kumar

Role: Bowler (India)
Current Team: Delhi Capitals

Mukesh Kumar debuted in IPL in 2023 and has played 32 games so far. During IPL 2024, he scalped 17 wickets from 10 matches, showcasing his speed, swing, and capability to perform in times of need. His most recent IPL game was in May 2025 at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur, where he bowled impressive figures of 4/9. Renowned for his prowess during death overs, Mukesh can be paired with Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar to provide depth to the pace bowling attack.

1️⃣ over, 2️⃣ wickets. Mukesh bhai! 👏 pic.twitter.com/aXkB3EGtsI

— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) April 22, 2025

In light of RCB trade targets in IPL 2026, Mukesh is an emerging star whose skills can be nurtured for high-pressure overs. He would provide RCB rotational flexibility, apply pressure in crunch overs, and fortify their bowling approach for IPL 2026, making him a key RCB player trade target.

Why Do These Targets Make Sense?

The trio of Phillips, Sundar, and Mukesh cover several key aspects of RCB’s team. While Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Josh Hazlewood bring stability and experience, these trade targets add depth, versatility, and tactical diversity. RCB trade targets in IPL 2026 should be players who can perform under pressure, deliver in critical situations, and adapt to various roles, which these three exemplify perfectly.

Phillips provides finishing skills, multi-plan abilities, and adaptability in batting, fielding, and wicket-keeping. Sundar strengthens all-around options and can contribute at both the top and lower order when needed. Mukesh supports the pace attack in crunch overs and allows RCB to rotate bowlers efficiently. Together, they enhance RCB’s adjustability and ability to retain their title. These purchases show a proactive approach, ensuring that RCB player trade targets are not merely replacements but strategic upgrades to maintain dominance in IPL 2026.