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Aakash Chopra's Bold RCB XI for IPL 2026: No Bethell, Iyer; Picks Padikkal

Former cricketer Aakash Chopra has selected his ideal Royal Challengers Bengaluru playing XI for their IPL 2026 opener. He advocates for Devdutt Padikkal over Venkatesh Iyer for the number 3 position, citing Padikkal's current form. Chopra's XI notably omits T20 World Cup centurion Jacob Bethell, opting for other overseas all-rounders, and picks New Zealand's Jacob Duffy as the key overseas fast bowler. The selection also addresses the void left by injured prime bowler Yash Dayal, suggesting a debutant could fill the spot.

Key Points: Aakash Chopra Picks RCB XI for IPL 2026, Drops Key Players

  • Chopra picks Devdutt Padikkal over Venkatesh Iyer at No. 3
  • Jacob Bethell excluded despite T20 World Cup century
  • Jacob Duffy preferred as overseas pacer over Josh Hazlewood
  • Yash Dayal's absence creates a spot for a debutant
2 min read

IPL 2026: Aakash Chopra picks RCB XI, leaves out Bethell, Iyer

Aakash Chopra selects his RCB playing XI for IPL 2026, leaving out Venkatesh Iyer and Jacob Bethell while backing Devdutt Padikkal and new pacer Jacob Duffy.

"RCB should go with Padikkal, who is in great touch. - Aakash Chopra"

New Delhi, March 27

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has picked his strongest playing XI of the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru ahead of their opening match of the Indian Premier League 2026 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, which is set to be played at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday.

RCB has not made significant changes to their squad ahead of the new season, but the additions of Venkatesh Iyer, Jacob Duffy, and Jacob Bethell, along with Devdutt Padikkal looking in great touch, have created a dilemma for the team management when selecting their playing XI.

In a video shared on X, Chopra tried to solve the three difficult questions ahead of the team management while selecting the best-suited team for the season.

He believes that the first big problem ahead of the RCB is who to select between Padikkal and Iyer at number 3. According to him, despite Iyer providing a bowling option, RCB should go with Padikkal, who is in great touch.

Chopra has excluded T20 World Cup 2026 centurion Bethell from his team as he has gone with Phil Salt, Tim David, and Romario Shepherd as overseas batters and all-rounders. According to him, RCB will need to play an overseas fast bowler, and the defending champions should go with New Zealand pacer Duffy, who had a decent World Cup campaign for the role. He has also left out Josh Hazlewood, who arrived on Friday in Bengaluru after recovering from injury.

RCB dealt with a big blow ahead of IPL 2026 as their prime bowler, Yash Dayal, has been ruled out of the whole tournament due to personal reasons. As per Chopra, either debutant Mangesh Yadav or Rasikh Salam could take his place in the playing XI.

Aakash Chopra's playing XI:

Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Rajat Patidar (c), Devdutt Padikkal, Tim David, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jacob Duffy, Mangesh Yadav/Rasikh Salam.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As a long-time RCB fan, I'm a bit worried about the bowling attack. Bhuvneshwar is a legend but we need more firepower. Leaving Hazlewood out when he's just recovered seems risky. Duffy had a good World Cup, but IPL pressure is different. Fingers crossed!
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Priya S
Finally, RCB might have a balanced side! Patidar as captain is a bold and exciting move. The batting looks deep with Kohli, Salt, David... hoping this is the year we go all the way. Ee sala cup namde! 🏆
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Rohit P
Respectfully disagree with Chopra ji on a couple of points. Venkatesh Iyer's bowling option gives the team much-needed flexibility, especially on a flat Chinnaswamy track. And picking an uncapped Mangesh Yadav in a must-win opener is a huge gamble. Hope the think tank knows better.
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Karthik V
The biggest loss is Yash Dayal. His absence leaves a massive hole. Salam has some experience but Mangesh is raw. Our death bowling looks thin. Maybe they should find a way to fit Hazlewood in. Duffy, Bhuvi, and a rookie might not be enough against power-hitters like SRH.
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Michael C
Good analysis. The overseas combo of Salt, David, Shepherd, and Duffy seems solid on paper. Tim David's finishing will be key. Excited to see how this team gels together. Saturday can't come soon enough!

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