Liam Livingstone’s release was one of the biggest talking points in the RCB Released Players 2026 list, especially after an underwhelming IPL 2025 season. The English all-rounder, signed for INR 8.75 crore, managed only 112 runs in 10 matches while taking two wickets. Despite the dip in returns, he was an integral part of RCB’s side, lending balance to the XI. With him gone, RCB target list for the IPL 2026 auction will be interesting to glance over.
RCB Director of Cricket Mo Bobat admitted after Livingstone’s release that it was an emotional decision, “On a personal level, I’m very fond of Livingstone as a player, but also as a person. I really enjoyed my time with him.” He added that Livingstone handled his time on the bench with humility and professionalism: “A huge amount of integrity in how he went about the period where he was left out of the team… So he did contribute hugely and his attitude was great.”
With Livingstone gone and a remaining purse of INR 16.40 crore, RCB now need to identify realistic replacements who fit their tactical needs. RCB targets for the auction will likely include these specialised curated players who match their requirements. The RCB target list for the IPL 2026 auction is expected to include both overseas and domestic all-rounders with hitting power and spin value, a combination Livingstone provided at his best.
RCB Target List For Liam Livingstone Replacement
Below, we break down RCB’s key targets, featuring overseas options, domestic all-rounders, and one emerging name who fits their squad profile perfectly. These are the names shaping the conversation around Who will RCB buy?
Michael Bracewell: A Familiar Face With All-Round Value
Among overseas RCB target players, Michael Bracewell stands out as the most natural replacement. Having debuted in the IPL with RCB in 2023, Bracewell brings clean hitting, effective off-spin, and solid fielding, all traits that align with the Bengaluru franchise’s needs.
His form across international cricket and franchise leagues in 2025 has been strong, and his ability to float in the batting order offers tactical flexibility. With RCB favouring players who understand their environment, Bracewell becomes a logical RCB target in the Livingstone role.
Matt Short: A Value Addition With Big Hitting Ability
Another overseas option high on the RCB targets radar is Australian all-rounder Matt Short. Now a regular in the national white-ball setup, Short’s recent form in MLC 2025 and BBL 2025 has been outstanding. He averaged 45 and 33.71 across the two leagues and smashed six fifties and a century.
RCB already have Tim David as a finisher, but Short offers top-order power, spin-hitting ability, and handy finger spin, a profile that mirrors Livingstone’s utility. His PBKS stint showcased how destructive he can be on flat pitches, making him an attractive buy on Bengaluru’s batting-friendly home surface.
Lalit Yadav – A Domestic All-Rounder With Matchup Value
RCB may also go domestic to manage their purse, and Lalit Yadav fits that strategy. With IPL experience at Delhi Capitals and a strong recent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy — 202 runs at a strike rate of 162.90, batting at No.5 — Lalit offers middle-order stability and improved power-hitting.
He is also a useful off-spinner with effective matchup numbers against left-handers. Given RCB’s preference for experienced Indian players in the last mega auction, Lalit’s profile matches the kind of RCB target players the franchise has been leaning toward.
Macneil Noronha – The Breakout Name Bengaluru Could Back
One of the most interesting names emerging in RCB’s scouting discussions is Karnataka’s Macneil Hadley Noronha, a big hitter and handy off-spinner who could provide the exact skill combination Livingstone offered. Who is Macneil Noronha? Macneil Noronha is a Bengaluru-based young all-rounder who actually spent much of his childhood in the UAE before his family made significant sacrifices to move to Bengaluru so he could pursue cricket seriously. He is among the 359 shortlisted players for IPL 2026 auction. He appears in uncapped all-rounders set No.5 at a base price of 30 lakhs INR.
Noronha had a phenomenal red-ball run with two triple centuries in the C.K. Nayudu Trophy and topped the tournament with 1,037 runs. More relevantly for T20 cricket, he smashed 19 sixes in the Maharaja T20 Trophy 2025, scoring 253 runs while offering reliable off-spin, a variety RCB do not currently have in their squad.
His confidence turnaround, guided by Karnataka U-23 assistant coach Rohit Sabharwal, has translated into improved T20 performance. As a lower-budget option offering middle-order muscle and spin, Noronha represents a smart RCB target for long-term development.
Who Will RCB Buy at the IPL 2026 Auction?
With a balanced core and a clear need for a spin-hitting all-rounder, RCB’s shortlist is expected to revolve around the options above. Bracewell and Short fit the overseas profile, Lalit Yadav is the most realistic domestic plug-in, and Macneil Noronha is the exciting long-term wildcard.
The final decision will depend on auction demand, but the franchise has enough targets to cover Livingstone’s absence without overspending, a key theme of the RCB auction strategy for IPL 2026 auction.
