The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are well prepared for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction on December 16. Though not really the whole team, the one big name from the RCB Released Players 2026 list is that of the British all-rounder Liam Livingstone. For the mega-auction last year, he had been signed for a whooping INR 8.75 crores, but the 32-year-old mostly failed to create an impact managing only 112 runs in 10 matches at an average of 16 and taking just two wickets with the ball.
Bengaluru will have to find a replacement for Livingstone as flanking two overseas slots along with a RCB remaining purse of INR 16.40 crores. Let’s consider three players that the reigning champions might auction at IPL 2026.
Michael Bracewell
The New Zealander and all-rounder who has already played for and debuted in IPL 2023 with RCB could be the leading candidate as Livingstone’s replacement. Reliable, he can throw big shots in addition to his crafty off-spin and thus is a good pick for RCB in the auction, especially as he is performing this year well with both bat and ball in his national team and in franchise leagues.
Sikandar Raza
The 39-year-old has been a part of the IPL with Punjab Kings (PBKS) but remained unsold in the last auction. However, his recent form can get him the bid for IPL 2026.
In the Pakistan T20I tri-series that is currently going on, Raza being the second-highest scorer with 141 runs in four innings, has an average of 47 besides taking three wickets with the ball. The middle-order he adds is powerful along with his dependable spin and considering the role requirement, RCB will surely have the Zimbabwe legend on their radar. He won’t be a big expenditure and there is a lot of worth in him as a player.
Matt Short
The Australian all-rounder Matt Short has emerged as a possible alternative to Liam Livingstone for RCB. Lately, he has been a mainstay in the national white-ball squad while also impressing in the franchise leagues.
The player was indeed phenomenal in the MLC 2025 and BBL 2025 by scoring at the average of 45 and 33.71 respectively besides claiming six fifties and one hundred in all the two tournaments combined. RCB already has the powerful Australian hitter Tim David and if Short is recruited, it would not only complete the batting line-up but also provide the team a chance to utilize his finger-spin for bowling.
