Royal Challengers Bengaluru will kick off their title defense against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The team made minimal changes to their squad in the auction, with the addition of Madhya Pradesh all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer standing out.
Venkatesh, with 11 caps for India, was signed for Rs. 7 crore by RCB to strengthen their Indian batting lineup. Known for his attacking intent and pace hitting, Venkatesh made a name for himself while playing for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL. Despite a tough season in 2025, he managed to secure a hefty price tag at the auction and returned to RCB for Rs. 23.75 crore.
With a new role and a change in scenery, Venkatesh will be looking to prove himself once again with RCB. He will be in competition with players like Devdutt Padikkal for a spot in the playing XI, adding a left-handed option to the team’s lineup. RCB will need to utilize Venkatesh’s strengths against pace bowling to maximize his impact on the team.
As RCB aims for back-to-back titles in 2026, a successful season from Venkatesh could be crucial for their campaign. The team will look to extract the best out of their squad, including Venkatesh, as they strive for another championship victory. Published on Mar 28, 2026.
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