IPL 2026: Top 3 RCB bowlers to watch out for

With the likes of Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar and Phil Salt in their ranks, it is easy to forget that Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) possesses a strong bowling unit which played a crucial role in helping them win their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title last time around. 

Last season, RCB had three bowlers in the top 10 highest wicket-takers’ list. This shows that amongst a host of superstar batters, the Bengaluru-outfit was helped equally by the bowling unit to help them win the elusive trophy.

With a strong squad last time around, RCB have made minimal changes to their personnel for 2026 and thus keeping the same core of bowlers that helped them achieve great things in 2025. 

Here are the top three bowlers to watch out for from the RCB squad:

3. Krunal Pandya

Not only for his bowling but also for his all-round skills, Krunal Pandya will remain RCB’s key to success during the 2026 IPL season. The spinner bowler was an unsung hero with the ball last time around, taking 17 wickets at an economy rate of 8.23. 

Krunal’s spin gave RCB valuable control in the middle overs whilst also being a genuine wicket-taking threat. His best bowling figures of 4 for 45 came against the Mumbai Indians where his side secured a 12-run victory, their first win at the Wankhede Stadium in 10 years. 

Krunal might not be the biggest turner of a cricket ball nor does he have a variety of mystery options at his disposal. The 34-year-old, however, is renowned for being extremely accurate and not giving much room to the batters to free their arms. 

2. Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvneshwar Kumar is widely regarded as one of the greatest bowlers to play in the IPL. With 198 wickets to his name, the right-arm seamer is the second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament’s history, only trailing Yuzvendra Chahal.

Despite being in the twilight of his career, Bhuvneshwar took 17 wickets in the IPL last time around, his most prolific season with the ball since 2017, when he took 26 wickets for Sunrisers Hyderabad. 

Bhuvneshwar continues to remain one of the more skillful bowlers in the T20 format. Prior to the 2026 IPL season, the 36-year-old played seven times for Uttar Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy where he picked up eight wickets whilst bowling at a shrewd economy of seven.

1. Josh Hazlewood 

Josh Hazlewood’s availability in the 2026 IPL remains a question mark and the Australian pacer would be a huge miss for RCB in their title defence year. The 35-year-old, however, will be a huge asset to his side regardless of how many matches he gets to play in 2026.

Hazlewood was the lead bowler for RCB in 2025, where he took 22 wickets at a strike-rate of just 12. The right-armer got within just three wickets of winning the Purple Cap.

Hazlewood’s fitness, however, remains a concern for RCB. Though, the defending champions have signed New Zealand’s Jacob Duffy as a potential replacement for the Australian and might feature during the early stages of the competition.