Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif has revealed Royal Challengers Bengaluru auction strategy ahead of IPL 2026 auction. Kaif reckons the reigning champions might look for an Indian finisher in the mini auction.
RCB had retained 17 players ahead of the retention deadline and the defending champions would look to add the missing players. Kaif believes RCB can go for foreign bowlers but feels Indian bowlers can also do the job for them.
Kaif said on his YouTube Channel, “They will go foreign bowlers but Indian bowlers will also be enough. They might also look for an Indian finisher, someone like Mahipal Lomror. But RCB have created a culture where any player can shine. Devdutt Padikkal, for instance, he was hardly able to lay bat on ball while playing for a different franchise. But RCB’s atmosphere was such that he grabbed the chance with both hands.”
The former UP batter said the likes of Tim David and Romario Shepherd did a good job for the team in the previous season.
“Tim David did well too, so did Romario Shepherd. Shepherd made runs and took wickets in the final too. RCB had good players previously too. But their culture is now different and Patidar has made the difference with his presence as captain. Also, the coaching staff underwent changes too,” he added.
Kaif noted that there is a shift in RCB’s management thinking as the bowlers are now also getting the same backing that batters used to get in the past.
“So, bowlers are getting the much-deserved backing as much as the batters did. Previously, batters used to dominate but bowlers have been given equal importance. The result was there to be seen in IPL 2025. Regardless of which player comes to RCB, he will do well. No player is bad in IPL, the environment makes them bad. What happens in franchise cricket is teams panic after 1-2 losses,” Kaid said.
Meanwhile, former RCB batter praised skipper Rajat Patidar for backing the bowlers and understanding that bowlers win you tournaments.
“RCB was a big team but had never won the IPL an, Rajat Patidar became captain under these circumstances. Patidar had decided that bowlers win you tournaments. Patidar does captain Madhya Pradesh’s team. The culture of MP is they play plenty of local matches and it’s been there for a long time. When you play so much, you get an idea that you need to have at least seven good batters and five bowlers. You can hit 200-250 runs but it’s of no use if the opposition chases them down.”
IPL 2026 mini auction is likely to be scheduled on December 15.
