It was a surreal moment when the Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally ended their 18-year trophy drought in the 2025 edition! However, they are aware that they must trade some of their costly players who have just underperformed if they are to maintain this winning momentum. Currently, the major issue hanging over the team is: Will RCB release Liam Livingstone before the 2026 auction, due to his inconsistent form and hefty salary? To provide the new RCB 2026 squad with the real, game-changing balance it requires, the team will need to identify the ideal replacement for Liam Livingstone.

The Disappointing Title-Winning Contribution

Liam Livingstone was supposed to be RCB’s X-factor, the guy who could smash huge runs in the middle overs and then toss in some sneaky leg-spin. While the team was popping champagne, his personal contributions were a letdown. His batting, which was meant to be destructive, was totally hit-or-miss and often killed the momentum in crucial games. He simply didn’t score fast enough to justify his spot.

Liam Livingstone’s Batting in IPL 2025

Even worse, his bowling, the reason he cost so much as an all-rounder, was barely used, and when it was, he was usually expensive. He ended up being a ridiculously expensive specialist batsman who was inconsistent. In the end, you cannot spend that much money on a player who does not regularly provide you with two powerful skills. A champion team must be brutal and let him go in order to correct the squad’s structure because of the disparity between his exorbitant price and inconsistent play.

Liam Livingstone’s Bowling in IPL 2025

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Top 3 Replacements for RCB

RCB needs a player who is either a genuine multi-skilled option (batting plus reliable death bowling) or a true batting specialist who can be used in a flexible position. The ideal replacement for Liam Livingstone must offer more guaranteed value for money and a better fit for the Chinnaswamy Stadium’s smaller boundaries.

Sam Curran

Sam Curran is hands-down the best like-for-like option out there. The English all-rounder is a left-arm swing bowler who has massively improved his execution at the death – that’s a skill RCB is desperate for to support their specialist fast bowlers. But he’s not just a bowler; with the bat, he’s a powerful left-hander who can slot in anywhere from number 5 to 7, giving RCB those explosive finishes and stable counter-attacks they need.

His addition would immediately address two significant structural issues for RCB: they would have a guaranteed overseas finisher and, for the first time, a potent left-arm seam option to diversify the assault. Curran is an outstanding gem due to his all-around adaptability, and the RCB 2026 squad would greatly benefit from his increased assured utility.

Mitchell Owen

If RCB decides to completely switch things up after the RCB release Liam Livingstone, Mitchell Owen is their guy for pure middle-order destruction. His game is all about consistently clearing boundaries against both pace and spin.

Targeting him allows RCB to devote that overseas slot exclusively to a power-hitter who can ensure an extremely high strike rate through the middle overs, perfectly balancing the firepower of their best hitters, even though he doesn’t bowl like Livingstone does. Owen is an indication of a change in strategy: RCB is concentrating on signing a top-tier specialist to replace Liam Livingstone in order to end their middle-overs scoring slump rather than looking for another dual-skill player.

Jamie Overton

Jamie Overton is the high-ceiling, strategic gamble that RCB just loves to take – the guy who could explode for them. This tall, English all-rounder brings genuine pace with the ball and can hit a decent ball lower down the order. He is a formidable weapon on some pitches because of his aggressive bowling and bounce. The extra lift he gets from his sheer height certainly irritates batsmen. For a successful RCB 2026 squad, they need an overseas pace-bowling all-rounder, and he is the ideal candidate.

Importantly, RCB will get great value because his auction price is probably going to be far less than that of a superstar like Sam Curran. This means they can use the money they saved from the replacement for Liam Livingstone to strengthen another area, like maybe buying a top-quality domestic spinner. Overton is a high-impact, cheaper alternative who promises genuine pace and power, completely aligning with RCB’s aggressive, forward-thinking blueprint.

Conclusion

The RCB release Liam Livingstone is a cold, calculated move by a championship team looking to become an unbeatable dynasty. The goal is to increase the usefulness of that abroad slot, not to sever relations. Sam Curran’s experienced dual-utility, Mitchell Owen’s explosive surety, or Jamie Overton’s high-potential, cost-effective value can all be used by RCB to effectively cover their all-rounder shortage. This ensures the squad is perfectly balanced to chase back-to-back titles with maximum efficiency and impact.