Aakash Chopra names two players RCB can release before IPL 2026 auction

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has picked Liam Livingstone and Rasikh Salam Dar as the two players which the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru can release ahead of the upcoming IPL 2026 mini auction.

Livingstone scored 122 runs in eight innings of IPL 2025 at an average of 16 and a strike rate of 133.33. The England International scalped two wickets in five innings of the previous season.

On the other hand, Rasikh Salam Dar picked one wicket in two matches he played and bowled with an expensive economy rate of 11.66.

Chopra wants the reigning champions to retain the rest of the players ahead of the auction.

“These are the two they can release. Otherwise, they must not release anyone else. Why fix something that ain’t broken? Leave broken, they are breaking records. So release Livingstone and maybe Rasikh. Don’t change much, retain everyone else and do not let them go,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

The renowned commentator highlighted that Livingstone failed to live up the expectations and RCB can buy a better batter than him in the auction.

“Liam Livingstone was expensive and he did not do so well. In the middle order, if they can find one solid batter with Rajat Patidar, Virat Kohli and Jitesh Sharma as Tim David comes later, there is a possibility that they can release Livingstone and buy a better batter,” he said.

The former Delhi cricketer said RCB can try to rope in an Indian seamer or spinner in place of Rasikh Salam Dar, who was bought for INR 6 crore in the mega auction.

“There is Yash Dayal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Romario Shepherd and Nuwan Thushara, so it will be good if they can get one backup Indian fast bowler. Would you want to leave Rasikh to get money for that? He has been good and there is no doubt about it he went for 6 crores so you can leave him. It will be good if they can also get an Indian spin option with Krunal and Suyash.”

IPL franchises have been asked to reveal their retention list before November 15.