India, Dec. 7 -- Royal Challengers Bengaluru walk into the IPL 2026 mini auction with something they haven't always enjoyed in the past: a stable core and a reasonably clear shopping list.

Seventeen retained players, six overseas options, and a purse of INR 16.40 cr leave them with eight slots to fill, including two overseas. This is not a blow-up the squad auction for them; it is a target the missing pieces auction.

On paper, the retention list covers most primary roles. Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, and Rajat Patidar give them a solid top-order Indian spine, with Phil Salt and Jitesh Sharma adding wicketkeeping depth and powerplay/finishing options. Tim David and Romario Shepherd strengthen the lower middle order, while Krunal Pandya...