Former Indian cricketer-turned-commentator Abhinav Mukund questioned Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) plans for subsequent season after the IPL 2026 public sale held in Abu Dhabi on December 16. RCB made headlines by signing Indian all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer for Rs 700 crore and bringing within the left-handed batsman to strengthen their prime order.
Whereas it regarded like a giant addition on paper, Mukund believes Venkatesh Iyer might not really be chosen to signify RCB within the 2026 IPL. Cricket specialists level out that the issue for RCB is Devdutt Padikkal, who’s in nice type and is already a part of the highest order.
Abhinav Mukund doubts RCB’s plans, doubts about Venkatesh Iyer enjoying within the eleven in IPL 2026
Mukund additionally talked about that even RCB batting coach Dinesh Karthik isn’t positive the place Venkatesh Iyer matches, given Padikkal’s current performances. “He can bat anyplace from one to seven. If we want him, he may give us an over or two. He’s a sensible participant and we had been contemplating him very severely within the mega public sale,” Karthik stated after the public sale.
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Notably, Padikkal performed a key position in RCB’s IPL 2025 title win regardless of solely with the ability to play 10 matches as a consequence of damage. He scored 247 runs at a strike fee of over 150. Even Padikkal was in nice type with the bat within the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26.
Padikkal has up to now scored 309 runs in six matches in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26 at a median of 61.8 and a strike fee of 167.02 (together with one century and two fifties).
DK was not constructive about Venkatesh Iyer’s place within the XI: Abhinav Mukund
With Padikkal in such good type, Mukund would not assume Venkatesh Iyer needs to be rushed into the squad. He feels that RCB’s prime seven has carried out nicely and there’s no want to alter the successful mixture within the upcoming IPL 2026.
As reported by ESPNCricinfo, director Abhinav Mukund stated, “DK was on the present and I requested him if Venkatesh would begin within the XI, however DK did not say something about it. He stated Padikkal is doing very nicely. Final 12 months, Venkatesh’s inventory was a lot greater than Padikkal’s, however taking a look at it now, Devdutt’s efficiency final 12 months was phenomenal.I do not assume Venkatesh might be a starter, however they need to have had nice success within the prime seven as nicely.
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Sanjay Bangar questions RCB’s IPL 2026 public sale technique
Former RCB and India batting coach Sanjay Bangar questioned RCB’s public sale technique. He felt the franchise missed a possibility to strengthen its spin division, which was a weak spot final season. When spinners like Ravi Bishnoi and Rahul Chahar had been out there and RCB nonetheless had cash of their pockets, Bangar puzzled why they selected to spend large on Venkatesh Iyer as a substitute.
Bangor additionally identified that spending cash on gamers who might not even play within the beginning lineup will be dangerous, particularly if the group wants to extend its spin choices. Nonetheless, he nonetheless feels Venkatesh is a top quality cricketer and might be a beneficial back-up choice for RCB subsequent season.
He added: “Final season, spin was a little bit of a query mark. If you had Bishnoi and Chahal, you’ll have anticipated them each to be good picks. They’d the pockets too. So why spend cash on a spot they won’t make the most of?”
