4 RCB Players Who Could Be Released Before IPL 2027 Auction
Summary:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru scripted history by winning back-to-back IPL titles in 2025 and 2026.With the IPL 2027 auction approaching, RCB face some difficult decisions, and several of their fringe players could join the wider list of IPL 2027 released players. Even defending champions must prune dead weight to stay competitive. This blog analyses the key RCB released players 2027 candidates, based on IPL 2026 stats, squad balance, and value-for-money.
RCB’s Back-to-Back Trophy Wins
RCB outdid their breakthrough 2025 title win, finishing top of the table before becoming only the third side, after CSK and MI, to defend the IPL crown. Virat Kohli remained the lynchpin of the batting line-up, while Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar led a bowling unit that combined control with wicket-taking threat throughout the season.
Kohli’s 675 runs and Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s 28 wickets were the pillars of RCB’s 2026 season. Andy Flower’s coaching unit has built a title-calibre group, but three seasons of sustained success also means some fringe players have quietly accumulated poor numbers. The IPL 2027 mini-auction is RCB’s opportunity to course-correct before opponents find the gaps in their squad.
| Player | Role | Price | Key 2026 Stats | Main Concern | Likelihood |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jitesh Sharma | WK-Batter (finisher) | ₹11 cr | 116 runs · avg 12.89 · SR 122.11 | Short-ball vulnerability; SR dropped 54 pts | High |
| Suyash Sharma | Wrist-spinner | — | 18 wkts in 27 IPL games · econ 8.75 | Avg 45.22; expensive in middle overs | High |
| Yash Dayal | Left-arm seamer | ₹5 cr | Benched entire IPL 2026 | 4th/5th choice in pace rotation | Medium |
| Rasikh Salam | Fast bowler | — | High economy · limited opportunities | Expensive death-over option; backup role | Medium |
Jitesh Sharma; an expensive misfire
Jitesh Sharma was acquired for a massive ₹11 crore at the 2025 mega-auction to be RCB’s designated finisher in the slog overs. He immediately justified the investment during RCB’s 2025 championship-winning season, amassing 261 runs in 15 matches at a staggering strike rate of over 176, highlighted by a match-winning unbeaten 85.
However, IPL 2026 saw a sharp decline. In IPL 2026, he has been dismissed six times by pace-on, hard-length deliveries, averaging just 2.5 and striking at 55.6 against this variety of bowling, contributing to his poorest IPL season yet. In 16 matches, Jitesh managed just 116 runs at a dismal average of 12.89, with his strike rate dropping from 176 in IPL 2025 to 122.11 in IPL 2026.
For a franchise investing ₹11 crore in a specialist finisher, a strike rate dipping below 125 in the death overs is a critical red flag. Opposition analysts have clearly identified and exploited his short-ball vulnerability. Whether RCB shows patience or brings changes, Jitesh is one of the most likely RCB released players 2027 candidates based purely on return on investment.
Suyash Sharma; not the best stats
Suyash Sharma has been part of three consecutive IPL title-winning squads, KKR in 2024 and RCB in 2025 and 2026, making him a lucky charm in franchise cricket. But individual output is a different story altogether.
In 27 IPL matches, Suyash has taken only 18 wickets. His bowling average sits at 45.22, and his economy rate is 8.75. For a spinner expected to control the middle overs and take wickets, those figures just don’t sound convincing.
Bowling at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, with its short square boundaries and high-altitude conditions that assist the ball carrying, is never straightforward for any spinner. But RCB needs a wrist-spin option who can generate turn, create pressure, and deliver in clutch phases. Suyash Sharma’s expensive economy and poor wicket-taking record make him a prime release candidate.
Yash Dayal; consistency left the chat
Yash Dayal is a left-arm seamer whose angle of delivery offers genuine variation, a rare commodity in T20 cricket. RCB carried him at a reported ₹5 crore fee. The problem? He played minimal cricket in 2026.
Yash Dayal is staring at an uncertain future. He mentioned that the team management decided to keep him out of IPL 2026. He said, “They haven’t removed me from the team, and they haven’t even announced a replacement because maybe they still see me as part of the squad. It wasn’t my personal decision to opt out of this season.”
A player retained but not fielded is a squad imbalance. With Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Nuwan Thushara all ahead of him in the pace hierarchy, Dayal’s path to the playing XI looks blocked. Releasing him frees the purse and allows him to attract a fresh bid at the mini-auction, likely benefiting both parties.
Rasikh Salam; expensive death-over concerns
Rasikh Salam’s high economy rate also makes him a likely mini-auction casualty. The young seamer provides pace and aggression but has struggled to hold his wicket column and economy in check across phases. In a squad with established international seamers occupying all key bowling roles, Rasikh functions as backup depth, an expensive luxury for a side chasing a historic third consecutive IPL title.
RCB may redirect that money towards a proven specialist, particularly if they want to strengthen their spin attack. Sunrisers Hyderabad also face similar budget decisions involving several SRH players who could be released before IPL 2027.
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Conclusion
RCB’s back-to-back titles are a testament to smart squad building and ruthless decision-making. Winning back-to-back IPL titles is a massive achievement, but successful franchises still make difficult decisions. Gujarat Titans face a similar situation, with several GT players who could be released before IPL 2027 despite reaching the 2026 final. RCB have become the league’s benchmark by identifying weaknesses and fixing them at the auction. Punjab Kings will also need to make careful decisions about the PBKS players who could be released before IPL 2027 as they try to improve their squad. Heading into IPL 2027, the potential RCB released players 2027 list, Jitesh Sharma, Suyash Sharma, Yash Dayal, and Rasikh Salam, represents a combined purse that, if reinvested wisely, could give RCB a very real shot at an unprecedented third straight title.
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FAQS❓
Based on IPL 2026 performances, Jitesh Sharma (average 12.89, SR 122.11), Suyash Sharma (economy 8.75 in 27 matches), Yash Dayal (benched throughout 2026), and Rasikh Salam are the strongest RCB released players 2027 candidates.
Releasing Jitesh Sharma alone frees approximately ₹11 crore, while Yash Dayal’s release adds roughly ₹5 crore. Together with Suyash Sharma and Rasikh Salam, RCB could reclaim significant purse space for targeted buys at the IPL 2027 mini-auction.
Historically, RCB has shown willingness to make bold calls, releasing Chris Morris and others after big-money buys underperformed. Franchise cricket demands performance over loyalty, regardless of title wins.
Almost certainly. Kohli scored 675 runs in IPL 2026 and is the all-time IPL leading run-scorer with 8,661 career runs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar took 28 wickets in 2026 and is considered RCB’s most reliable death-bowling option. Both are core retentions.
The IPL 2027 mini-auction allows franchises to retain their core squad and release select players back into the auction pool. Only a full mega-auction (typically every three years) involves a complete squad reset. The mini-auction gives teams limited but crucial flexibility to plug gaps.
