Former India batter turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra reflected on Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) retentions and releases ahead of the IPL 2026 auction as well. He also named two
players whom the franchise could look to release as well.

“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,” he said on his YouTube channel.

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While Aakash Chopra picked the two possible releases RCB can make before the IPL 2026 auction, he also shared why the two players should be let go. Livingstone was bought for a massive ₹8.75 crore, while Rasikh was bought for ₹6 crore as well.

“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.

“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,” Aakash Chopra concluded.