IPL 2027 Auction: How Royal Challengers Bengaluru Could Rebuild After Winning the IPL

Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally ended their title drought in IPL 2026, but defending champions rarely stand still. With the IPL 2027 auction approaching, RCB face a different challenge-deciding whether to reward experience or refresh a squad that has already achieved its ultimate goal.

Releasing established names is never easy after a championship-winning season. However, factors such as age, overseas availability, injury history and long-term squad planning could force the franchise into some difficult decisions.

Here are five players who could find themselves under scrutiny before the IPL 2027 auction.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvneshwar Kumar was among RCB's most dependable bowlers in IPL 2026, picking up 24 wickets in 14 matches while continuing to deliver with the new ball.

His performances alone do not justify a release. The bigger consideration is age.

At 36 by the start of IPL 2027, RCB may have to decide whether to continue investing in an ageing pace attack or begin transitioning towards younger Indian fast bowlers who can lead the bowling unit over the next cycle.

Unless the franchise believes Bhuvneshwar can maintain his fitness for another season, succession planning could become a priority.

Josh Hazlewood

Hazlewood remains one of the world's premier Test fast bowlers, but franchise cricket presents a different challenge.

Recurring injuries and Australia's packed international calendar have regularly affected his IPL availability, while his economy rate crept close to 10 during the 2026 season.

Replacing a bowler of Hazlewood's quality would not be straightforward, but RCB may decide an overseas slot is better utilised on a player available throughout the tournament.

Krunal Pandya

Krunal enjoyed one of his better batting seasons, scoring 182 runs at a strike rate of 145, but questions remain over his bowling returns.

His 11 wickets came alongside an economy approaching nine runs an over, reducing his effectiveness as a containing left-arm spinner.

If RCB want greater balance from their all-rounders, they could look for a player capable of making a bigger impact with both bat and ball.

Jitesh Sharma

Jitesh Sharma entered IPL 2026 carrying significant expectations after his auction price reflected RCB's faith in him as a middle-order finisher.

Instead, he struggled for rhythm, scoring just 90 runs in 13 matches while failing to cement his place in the batting order.

With several young Indian wicketkeeper-batters emerging across domestic cricket, RCB could decide to reinvest in a long-term option capable of providing greater consistency in the middle overs.

Nuwan Thushara

Thushara's slingy action offers something different, but availability remains his biggest hurdle.

The Sri Lankan quick has shown flashes of quality whenever fit, yet injuries and limited opportunities have prevented him from becoming a regular feature in RCB's plans.

Overseas slots remain one of the most valuable commodities in the IPL. If the management believes another overseas quick can offer greater reliability across a full season, Thushara could become a casualty ahead of the auction.

RCB's bigger decision isn't who leaves-it's how they defend the title

Championship-winning squads often require evolution rather than wholesale change.

RCB's core, led by Virat Kohli and several established match-winners, is unlikely to undergo significant changes. Instead, the franchise's biggest decisions could revolve around improving squad depth, managing ageing players and maximising the value of its overseas slots.

Those calls will ultimately shape whether IPL 2026 becomes the start of a dynasty or a one-off triumph.