IPL 2026: Best overseas 4 for RCB

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally broke their duck and won their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) last season, beating Punjab Kings in the final in Ahmedabad. 

The team management rightfully decided to make minimal changes to their title-winning squad during the most recent mini auction. This means that RCB have held on to all of their overseas superstars which played a big role in helping them win the trophy.

From hard-hitting batters to wily bowlers, RCB’s squad is brimming with overseas talent who are widely regarded as some of the greatest players in T20 cricket.

Here are the best four overseas players within the RCB squad:

4. Jacob Bethell – England

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have some great overseas all-rounders in their ranks but the recent rise of Jacob Bethell could see him be that X-factor at the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL). 

Bethell has impressed for England across formats. The 22-year-old caught the eye of the cricketing fraternity when he scored 105 off just 48 balls as the Three Lions nearly did the impossible and chased down 254 in the T20 World Cup semi-final against India.

Bethell played just two times during RCB’s title-winning campaign last season. The left-hander, however, scored his maiden half century in IPL cricket, hitting 55 off 33 balls against Chennai Super Kings whilst opening the batting alongside Virat Kohli.

3. Tim David – Australia

Like last season, Tim David remains a key member of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) due to his finishing prowess in the death overs. 

The hard-hitting Australia all-rounder scored 187 last time around at a strike-rate of 185. However, it was his average which was the most impressive – 62.33. This shows that when he enters the field, David strikes big and remains unbeaten towards the end of the innings. 

David would be battling with West Indies all-rounder Romario Shepherd for that vital spot as a finisher in the RCB playing XI.

2. Phil Salt – England 

Phil Salt and Virat Kohli’s opening partnership was one of the main reasons why the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) won their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title. The England opener scored 403 runs in 2025 at an average of 33.58 and a strike-rate of 176. 

Salt’s form heading into the tournament remains shaky. He did, however, have a great knock of 62 against co-hosts Sri Lanka in the Super Eight stages of the recently-concluded T20 World Cup.

RCB tend to use Jitesh Sharma as their wicketkeeper. Salt, however, is a very handy gloveman himself and could very easily take the gloves should RCB need him to.

1. Josh Hazlewood – Australia 

Josh Hazlewood is currently in a race against time to be declared fit for the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The right-arm seamer has not played a professional game of cricket since representing New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield back in November 2025.

The Australia bowler, however, still remains RCB’s most important overseas player should he be fit and ready to play. He took 22 wickets from 12 games last time around to help his side win the title. 

Hazlewood’s fitness could decide RCB’s fate this season. The defending champions, however, have bought New Zealand’s Jacob Duffy who could be a like-for-like replacement for the 35-year-old.