RCB IPL 2026: Kohli’s Hunger, Patidar’s Captaincy Test and the Back-to-Back Trophy Dream

RCB enter IPL 2026 as defending champions and the whole cricket world is watching whether they can do what only MI and CSK have done before: win back-to-back IPL titles.

Experts Anil Kumble and Irfan Pathan sat down on JioHotstar’s Game Plan show to break down exactly what RCB need from their key players this season. The IPL 2026 tournament begins on March 22 and every team is preparing hard. Browse the IPL 2026 team-wise match schedule to see when RCB open their title defence.

RCB’s Key Factors for IPL 2026 at a Glance

Virat Kohli Returns With Even More Hunger

Virat Kohli is coming back to T20 cricket after a long break and according to Irfan Pathan, he is not walking in relaxed. He is walking in hungry.

Pathan made it very clear on the show that lifting the IPL 2025 trophy has not satisfied Kohli. It has made him want more. Pathan said the desire to win and create an impact has always been Kohli’s defining quality and that energy will only be sharper now that he knows what it feels like to win the title with RCB after an 18-year wait.

His recent ODI appearances for India against South Africa and New Zealand showed the same intensity. Every innings, every boundary, every dismissal hit him hard because he genuinely cares. That version of Kohli turning up for RCB in IPL 2026 is a nightmare for every bowler in the competition.

Rajat Patidar Faces the Hardest Job in IPL 2026

Winning the IPL as captain is one thing. Defending it is an entirely different challenge and Anil Kumble knows this better than most.

Kumble admitted that Patidar’s appointment as captain last year surprised many people because everyone expected Virat Kohli to take the role. But the RCB management trusted Patidar and he delivered. Now the bar is much higher.

Only Mumbai Indians (2014, 2015) and Chennai Super Kings (2010, 2011) have won back-to-back IPL titles in the history of the tournament. RCB want to join that list.

What works in Patidar’s favour:

• Calm and composed under pressure even in high stakes knockout games
• Experience of leading Madhya Pradesh in domestic cricket gave him captaincy tools early
• Smart bowling management was one of his biggest strengths last season
• RCB squad has genuine depth so he is not carrying the team alone

Kumble believes if Patidar manages his bowling resources well again and backs his instincts, RCB have a real shot at defending the title.

Devdutt Padikkal: The Form Player RCB Have Been Waiting For

Both Kumble and Pathan agree on one thing: Devdutt Padikkal is in the best form of his career right now.

The left-hander had a difficult phase earlier where his timing was off and his confidence looked shaky. That version of Padikkal is gone. His domestic cricket numbers across formats in the last year have been outstanding and he comes into IPL 2026 looking like a completely different batter.

Kumble pointed out that the RCB of the past relied almost entirely on Kohli, AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle to win matches. The current squad is nothing like that. Multiple players can win games independently and Padikkal is now one of them.

The tactical plan according to Kumble:

• When RCB bowl first: Padikkal plays as the Impact Batter
• When RCB bat first: Suyash Sharma comes in as the bowling Impact Player

This flexibility gives Patidar real options depending on conditions and match situations. Check out the complete RCB and all team rosters for IPL 2026 to see the full squad depth.

Josh Hazlewood Fitness: RCB’s Biggest Concern

Every expert agrees that if Hazlewood is fit, RCB’s bowling attack is one of the best in the competition. That is a big if.

Kumble flagged Hazlewood’s fitness as the most important variable for RCB this season. Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s fitness is also being monitored closely. If both pacers are available and firing, RCB’s bowling suddenly looks complete and dangerous.

To cover the risk, RCB have signed Nuwan Thushara and Jacob Duffy as backup options. Both are capable of stepping in but neither brings what Hazlewood does at the top of his game.

RCB’s Likely Playing XI and Overseas Combination

Kumble confirmed that Phil Salt, Tim David and Romario Shepherd are all expected to be regular starters with the fourth overseas slot going to Hazlewood if his fitness clears. Venkatesh Iyer is unlikely to start in the early games.

Follow the IPL 2026 live points table and standings once the tournament starts to track RCB’s title defence game by game.

Can RCB Actually Win Back-to-Back?

The squad is deeper than it has ever been. Kohli is motivated. Padikkal is in form. Patidar has proven he can lead. The only real question mark is bowling fitness.

If Hazlewood and Bhuvi stay fit, RCB are genuine favourites. If either breaks down early, the bowling could be exposed in big matches. That is the fine line RCB are walking heading into this season. Watch every RCB match live this season with the IPL 2026 live streaming and broadcast guide.

FAQs

Will Virat Kohli play IPL 2026 for RCB? Yes. Kohli returns to T20 cricket after a break and experts believe he will be even more motivated after winning the IPL 2025 title with RCB.

Who is RCB’s captain in IPL 2026? Rajat Patidar continues as RCB captain in IPL 2026. He led the team to their first ever IPL title in 2025.

Is Josh Hazlewood playing IPL 2026? Hazlewood is expected to play but his fitness is RCB’s biggest concern. Nuwan Thushara and Jacob Duffy are backup options if he is not available.

What role will Devdutt Padikkal play for RCB in IPL 2026? Padikkal is expected to be in the starting XI and may serve as the Impact Batter when RCB bowl first, based on Anil Kumble’s analysis.

Can RCB win back-to-back IPL titles in 2026? Only MI and CSK have done it before. RCB have the squad depth to achieve it but Hazlewood and Bhuvi’s fitness will be the deciding factor.

Will Venkatesh Iyer start for RCB in IPL 2026? According to Anil Kumble, Venkatesh Iyer is unlikely to be in RCB’s starting XI at the beginning of the season.