IPL 2026 RCB vs SRH: two player’s likely debut for RCB
The New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy is the frontrunner to lead the overseas bowling attack in Hazlewood's absence.
IPL 2026 RCB vs SRH: As Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) begins its title defense today against SRH at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, two names stand out as the most likely debutants for the franchise.
Given that Josh Hazlewood is unavailable for the start of the season and Yash Dayal is reportedly sidelined due to personal reasons, the team management is expected to hand caps to their new specialist bowling recruits.
Likely Debutants for RCB:
Jacob Duffy: The New Zealand pacer is the frontrunner to lead the overseas bowling attack in Hazlewood’s absence. Ranked as one of the top T20I bowlers globally, his ability to swing the ball and provide early breakthroughs makes him a direct replacement in the powerplay.
Mangesh Yadav: An exciting uncapped Indian all-rounder who was a major investment for RCB at the mini-auction Rs 5.2 crore. Known for his left-arm seam and lower-order power hitting, he is widely tipped to make his IPL debut to bolster the domestic bowling department.
Other New Faces to Watch:
While Duffy and Mangesh are the most likely to start in the XI, the following players could also make their RCB debuts early this season:
Venkatesh Iyer (All-rounder) – A marquee signing (₹7 crore) likely to slot into the top or middle order to provide a left-handed batting option.
Jacob Bethell (Batter) – The English youngster is a strong candidate for the middle order, especially following his impressive form in recent international T20s.
Rasikh Dar (Bowler) – While not a debutant in the league, the pacer is expected to play a significant role for the franchise this year as part of the local bowling core.
With Rajat Patidar continuing as captain after last year’s historic trophy win, these new additions are expected to play a pivot role in maintaining the team’s aggressive momentum.
