In today’s world, social media keeps everyone updated with the latest news — whether it’s politics, movies, or sports. Among all sports, cricket always gets huge attention, especially when it comes to the Indian Premier League (IPL). And now, there’s big news coming out about the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) team and its star player, Virat Kohli.
RCB Retention List Revealed
According to recent updates, RCB’s retention list for the upcoming IPL season has been released. Fans have been eagerly waiting to know which players will stay and which ones will be released by the team. The team management has reportedly made some tough decisions to prepare for IPL 2026.
One of the biggest questions among fans is whether Virat Kohli will continue playing for RCB or finally step away from the league. Kohli, who has been part of RCB since the beginning of his IPL career, has been the face of the team for more than a decade. But this year, surprising reports are circulating regarding his future.
Is Virat Kohli Leaving IPL?
According to the latest information, Virat Kohli might not play in the 2026 IPL season. If this news turns out to be true, it will mark the end of an era for both RCB and IPL fans. Sources suggest that Kohli has not signed a new contract or renewal deal with the franchise, which indicates that he may be preparing to retire from the IPL.
Interestingly, RCB finally lifted the IPL trophy in 2025 — their first-ever championship win since the tournament began. After achieving this long-awaited milestone, many believe this could be the perfect time for Kohli to take a step back. While there has been no official confirmation from Kohli himself, discussions about his future are now at their peak.
Upcoming IPL Auction and Deadlines
As the IPL 2026 season approaches, teams are gearing up for the auction. Reports say the auction will take place between December 13 and December 15, while the deadline for player retention is November 15. By then, all teams must submit their final list of retained and released players.
Fans won’t have to wait too long to see which players will stay and who will move to new teams. The upcoming auction could bring in several changes among franchises.
RCB To Release Several Players
Along with Kohli’s uncertain future, there’s also talk about RCB releasing several players to adjust their team balance and budget. A few names have already emerged from the possible release list:
- Liam Livingstone: Bought for ₹8.75 crore, Livingstone might be released, which would save the team a large amount.
- Nuwan Thushara: Priced at ₹1.6 crore, his performance hasn’t been very impactful.
- Abhinandan Singh, Manoj Bhandage, and Swapnil Singh are also expected to be released.
If all these players are released, RCB could save around ₹11–12 crore. This money could be used to bring in new talents at the upcoming auction.
Players Expected to Stay With RCB
Despite the possible changes, a core group of players is expected to continue playing for RCB. The retained list reportedly includes:
- Virat Kohli (subject to confirmation)
- Rajat Patidar
- Devdutt Padikkal
- Jitesh Sharma
- Phil Salt
- Mayank Agarwal
- Yash Dayal
- Tim David
- Krunal Pandya
- Suyash Sharma
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- S. Chikara
- R. Seifried
Every IPL team needs a playing XI and backup options, so RCB will look to finalize their squad after the auction.
Fans Waiting for Official Word
As the news about Virat Kohli’s future spreads, fans are both emotional and curious. Will Kohli continue with RCB for another season, or will he say goodbye after finally achieving his dream of winning the IPL trophy? Only time will tell.
Till then, cricket lovers and RCB supporters are waiting for official confirmation — and sharing their thoughts passionately across social media. What do you think? Should Virat Kohli continue playing in IPL 2026, or is it time for him to move on?