The IPL 2026 team-building process has not turned out to be very smooth for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, as they have received critical comments from an Indian cricket legend, Anil Kumble. The former leg-spin bowler does not consider Venkatesh Iyer to be a very suitable player for the champions’ powerful line-up for the coming season. While Iyer’s acquisition was the result of RCB’s aggressive push in the auction and was ultimately confirmed at a price of INR 7 crore, the legend who has captained India believes that the present depth and balance within the team are the main factors that will keep Iyer out of the XI during the first few matches of the season.
The RCB pattern of showing interest in the Madhya Pradesh player is certainly becoming a cycle. In fact, they were in a bidding war with KKR for Iyer last year too. In the end, KKR secured Venky for INR 23.75 crore. Iyer’s performance this year was, however, quite disappointing. Across 7 innings, he could muster only 142 runs with an average of just over 20, with one half-century to his credit, at a strike rate of almost 140.
Anil Kumble Suggests His Opinion on RCB IPL 2026 Strategy
Anil Kumble during a conversation on JioHotstar IPL Auction Review with expert Sanjay Bangar and RCB head coach Andy Flower, stated a possibility of Iyer starting the season sitting on the bench as RCB will strive to keep the balance in their combination. He also emphasized the franchise’s careful auction strategy that enabled them to buy the all-rounder without any direct competition for him and without the need to raise the price through an aggressive bidding war with any other franchise.
“Initially, Venkatesh Iyer won’t be among the playing eleven. You do not want to spread uncertainty in a victorious side. That is perhaps the reason they did not pursue a Ravi Bishnoi, so as not to make Suyash Sharma feel insecure in the presence of a senior India spinner,” Kumble opined.
Anil Kumble Gave Royal Challengers Bengaluru a Compliment for Their Strategy in Player Management
Kumble further praised RCB’s strategy of building their team around specific players as he said, the team paid very much attention to the regular players but at the same time, went about quietly strengthening their bench.
“In a way they are quite realistic as in the past they have very wisely kept the same core and encouraged the young ones, while having just a few backups in case something goes wrong. There will be Jacob Duffy replacing Josh Hazlewood and Jordan Cox is an exact replica of Phil Salt. Mangesh Yadav enters as Yash Dayal’s replacement. He is a left-arm seamer and very promising but has not played much cricket.”
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