The defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru entered the IPL 2026 mini-auction with a clear plan. Consequently, the RCB squad 2026 now features eight new players carefully selected to fill specific gaps. The auction took place in Abu Dhabi, where RCB showed remarkable restraint by bidding on only 10 players.

Why did RCB needed few players?

RCB won their first-ever IPL title in 2025 by defeating Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad. Therefore, the management wisely retained most of their winning combination. They kept 17 players, including franchise icon Virat Kohli and captain Rajat Patidar. This meant they needed only strategic additions rather than complete rebuilding.

Major Signings at the Auction

Top Purchases

Furthermore, RCB added four youngsters at base price: Satvik Deswal, Vicky Ostwal, Vihaan Malhotra, and Kanishk Chouhan. These signings show RCB’s commitment to building for the future.

The Venkatesh Iyer Story

The most exciting moment came when RCB finally landed Venkatesh Iyer. Interestingly, this wasn’t their first attempt. Last year, they were ready to pay over ₹23 crore for him, but lost to the Kolkata Knight Riders. This time, however, the story changed.

Initially, Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans started bidding. Then, both RCB and KKR joined the race. Eventually, KKR withdrew at ₹6.80 crore, allowing RCB to secure him for just ₹7 crore. Moreover, Venkatesh will now play alongside his Madhya Pradesh teammate and RCB captain Rajat Patidar.

Smart Strategy: Filling Critical Gaps

RCB identified two main concerns before the auction. First, Josh Hazlewood’s injury history worried the management. Additionally, uncertainty surrounded Yash Dayal’s availability. Therefore, they focused on finding quality backups.

Jacob Duffy, currently the ICC’s top-ranked T20I fast bowler, came at his base price of ₹2 crore. Similarly, Mangesh Yadav provides left-arm pace options if Yash Dayal becomes unavailable. These calculated moves demonstrate RCB’s planning depth.

Complete Squad Breakdown

Retained Core Players:

• Batsmen: Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar (c), Devdutt Padikkal, Phil Salt
• Wicketkeepers: Jitesh Sharma
• All-rounders: Krunal Pandya, Swapnil Singh, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Jacob Bethell
• Bowlers: Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Nuwan Thushara, Rasikh Salam, Abhinandan Singh, Suyash Sharma

New Additions: Eight players including four experienced professionals and four promising youngsters

What Makes This Squad Special?

RCB’s approach showed maturity rarely seen in IPL auctions. Instead of making desperate bids, they patiently waited for the right opportunities. Consequently, they spent only ₹15.95 crore from their available purse.

The squad now balances experience with youth. Veterans like Virat Kohli and Bhuvneshwar Kumar provide leadership. Meanwhile, youngsters get opportunities to learn and grow. Furthermore, the overseas contingent features quality players like Josh Hazlewood, Phil Salt, and Tim David.

Looking Ahead

The RCB squad 2026 appears well-equipped to defend their maiden title. They maintained their winning core while adding depth in crucial positions. Moreover, the management showed they learned from past mistakes by avoiding overspending. As the new season approaches, fans eagerly await seeing how these new additions blend with the championship-winning squad.

An RSS leader’s son shot dead in Ferozepur has triggered a major investigation, with police making multiple arrests in the case. Naveen Arora, a 32-year-old shopkeeper, died after two unidentified motorcycle-borne attackers shot him on November 15, 2025. The victim’s father, Baldev Raj Arora, has been associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for many years.

The incident occurred around 7 pm on Saturday evening near Sadhu Chand Chowk. Specifically, Naveen was walking from his dupatta shop in the main bazaar to his residence when the attack happened. Additionally, the assailants fired at him near Baba Noor Shah Wali dargah before quickly fleeing the scene.

One bullet struck Naveen in the head. Consequently, family members rushed him to a private hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. Furthermore, the family initially refused cremation, demanding justice for their son.

Naveen’s grandfather, the late Dina Nath Arora, had also been a senior RSS leader in Ferozepur. Therefore, the family has deep roots in the organization spanning multiple generations. Meanwhile, Naveen himself served as an RSS volunteer alongside running his business.

Senior police officers, including SSP Bhupinder Singh and Deputy Superintendent of Police (City) Sukhwinder Singh, reached the spot immediately. Moreover, they formed multiple teams to identify and trace the suspects. Subsequently, police began scanning CCTV camera footage from nearby establishments to ascertain the identities of the killers.

The investigation has revealed several important developments. First, police arrested three persons in connection with the conspiracy: Jatin Kali, identified as the alleged mastermind, along with Kanav and Harsh. However, the main shooter, Nachhatar Singh from Jalandhar, remained at large initially.

In a significant breakthrough, Ferozepur police arrested a Ludhiana woman named Bhavna on November 23, 2025. Police sources revealed that she provided shelter to Nachhatar Singh after the murder. Additionally, she allegedly helped him flee after the crime. Consequently, authorities registered a separate case against her under the relevant sections.

Bhavna, daughter of Ashok Kumar and resident of Tibba Road in Ludhiana, is currently in custody. Furthermore, interrogation is underway, with investigators hoping for major breakthroughs. Police believe she played a crucial role in the escape plan.

SSP Bhupinder Singh explained the complexity of the case during a press meet. He informed media persons that the conspiracy appears far more organized than initially thought. Specifically, Jatin Kali allegedly orchestrated the plan for a payment of just ₹60,000-65,000. However, arranging professional shooters from Jalandhar and safe houses in Ludhiana points toward a larger network.

Investigators remain baffled by the sophistication of the escape plan. Therefore, they suspect involvement of an established gangster or influential outsider who provided logistical support and funding. Despite intensive raids, police have not apprehended any major gangster so far, deepening the mystery.

The murder triggered widespread anger among local traders and RSS workers. On Sunday, following the incident, markets wore a deserted look. Subsequently, shopkeepers closed their establishments completely on Monday, demanding immediate arrest of the assailants.

Heera Sodhi, a senior BJP leader from Ferozepur, confirmed the market closure. Similarly, senior RSS functionary Ashwani Dhawan urged authorities to take strict action against the perpetrators.

Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar strongly criticized the state government over the incident. He alleged that gangsters are running a parallel government in Punjab. Additionally, he claimed Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has failed to fulfill his responsibilities.

Jakhar stated that people of Punjab are being forced to live in an atmosphere of fear. Moreover, he alleged that the AAP government has completely failed to maintain law and order. He also claimed people receive threats and extortion calls every day.

Ranbir Singh Bhullar, AAP MLA from Ferozepur City, met with Naveen’s family members. Furthermore, he assured them of strict action against the accused. Meanwhile, SSP Bhupinder Singh also met the Arora family on Saturday evening, promising swift action.

Punjab BJP working president Ashwani Sharma condemned the murder, saying it was neither the first nor an isolated incident. He emphasized that a spree of murders targeting businessmen, athletes, youth, and common people raises serious questions about the government’s working style.

Union Minister of State (Railways) Ravneet Singh Bittu also reacted strongly. He described the murder as brutal and said it has shaken not only the Arora family but the entire Punjab. Additionally, he emphasized that people are feeling increasingly unsafe and need tougher action.

Police officials have assured that the arrest of the remaining accused, including Nachhatar Singh, is only a matter of time. Furthermore, they promised that the full conspiracy will soon be unraveled. Investigators continue gathering evidence through CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts.

The RSS leader’s son shot dead in Ferozepur case continues developing, with authorities working intensively to bring all perpetrators to justice and uncover the complete network behind this organized crime.

A Mohali court ruled that a sacked cop gets life term for woman’s murder, convicting dismissed Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Rashpreet Singh in a 2022 case. Along with life imprisonment, the court also imposed a fine of Rs 40,000. The verdict came after he was found guilty of murder and destruction of evidence, though rape charges were not proven.

The case dates back to November 13, 2022, when 23-year-old nurse Naseeb Kaur went missing from her paying guest accommodation. The very next day, locals discovered her body in a pond at Sohana village under suspicious circumstances. Investigators later confirmed that Rashpreet had known the victim for years and shared a close personal link with her.

On the complaint of the victim’s father, police initially registered a rape and murder case against an unidentified person. However, during the investigation, Rashpreet, a resident of Sector 86, came under suspicion and was arrested. Evidence ruled out rape but clearly established murder and an attempt to erase proof of the crime.

After examining witness statements and case records, the court held Rashpreet guilty on September 8. Today, it announced the final sentence. The judge observed that crimes committed by law enforcement officers not only violate the law but also erode public trust, demanding strict punishment.

With this ruling, Rashpreet Singh will now spend his life in prison. For the victim’s family, it brings a measure of justice, while for society, the sacked cop gets life term for woman’s murder serves as a stern warning against the misuse of power.