IPL 2026: Why Are RCB Playing Abhinandan Singh Before Rasikh Salam & Mangesh Yadav? Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have opted to include uncapped pacer Abhinandan Singh in their playing XI for the first three matches of IPL 2026, despite retaining more expensive domestic fast bowlers Rasikh Salam and Mangesh Yadav. This decision has sparked discussions among cricket analysts, as Abhinandan, retained at his base price of INR 30 lakh, has been preferred over the two younger players who were acquired through the IPL 2026 mini-auction at INR 6 crore and INR 5.20 crore respectively. The inclusion of Abhinandan in the initial lineup follows the withdrawal of pacer Yash Dayal from the tournament due to personal reasons. RCB’s management faced the challenge of filling the void left by Dayal, leading them to select Abhinandan, who has emerged as a key bowler in their early matches. Despite his relatively low cost compared to Salam and Yadav, the team has prioritized his availability and recent performances over the more expensive options. Abhinandan’s rise to the playing XI can be attributed to his standout performances during pre-season training sessions. In intra-squad matches, he showcased his potential by dismissing Virat Kohli, a feat that caught the attention of the coaching staff. The 23-year-old right-arm pacer, hailing from Uttar Pradesh, made his IPL debut in 2026 for RCB after representing the Lucknow Falcons in the UP T20 League. His ability to consistently take wickets has been a significant factor in his selection. In the first three games of the tournament, Abhinandan has taken three wickets across three matches, including a two-wicket haul in one game.#ipl_2026 #royal_challengers_bengaluru #mangesh_yadav #abhinandan_singh #rasikh_salam
Meet star player from Kohli’s RCB, is a truck driver’s son, was bought for Rs 52000000 at IPL 2026 mini auction Mangesh Yadav, a 23-year-old fast bowler from Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district, has joined Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) after being signed for Rs 5.2 crore at the IPL 2026 mini auction. The son of a truck driver, Mangesh’s journey from humble beginnings to becoming a key player for RCB highlights the challenges and determination required to succeed in cricket. Born in Borgaon, Mangesh grew up playing cricket in a small courtyard with his family. His uncle first noticed his talent during tennis ball tournaments and encouraged him to train in Delhi under coach Phool Chand Sharma. Despite financial struggles, Mangesh’s father, Ramavadh Yadav, invested everything he had to support his son’s dream. Ramavadh, a truck driver, often worked through the night, sacrificing his own comfort to fund Mangesh’s training. Mangesh’s early years were marked by hardship. His father recalled, “I had to struggle a lot for money. Sometimes I couldn’t sleep at night, thinking about how I would raise money for him. The life of a truck driver is no life at all. You don’t have time to eat or bathe.” Mangesh’s coach, Phool Chand Sharma, shared that the young bowler often faced hunger and lacked basic necessities during his training. “He was staying with someone in Delhi. I saw he was a good bowler, but he didn’t even have enough to eat. I told him to come and stay at the hostel. That’s where his journey really began,” Sharma said. Mangesh’s path was not without setbacks. He admitted to a period of losing focus, where he became lazy and risked being sent home by his coach. “I had started becoming lazy. One day sir called me and told me to pack my bag and go home.#ipl_2026 #royal_challengers_bengaluru #mangesh_yadav #ramavadh_yadav #phool_chand_sharma
From Truck Driver's Sacrifice To Rs 5.2 Crore Glory: Mangesh Yadav's Inspiring Rise To RCB Mangesh Yadav, a 23-year-old fast bowler from Borgaon in Madhya Pradesh's Chhindwara district, has transformed his life from humble beginnings to a lucrative cricket career with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). His journey, marked by his father's relentless sacrifices and his own determination, has culminated in a contract worth Rs 5.2 crore, a testament to his perseverance and the support of those who believed in him. Before stepping onto professional cricket fields, Mangesh's father, Ramavadh Yadav, worked as a truck driver, enduring grueling hours to fund his son's dreams. Ramavadh often stayed awake at night, grappling with the challenge of securing enough money for Mangesh's cricket training. "I had to struggle a lot for money. Sometimes I couldn't sleep at night, thinking about how I would raise funds for him. The life of a truck driver is no life at all," Ramavadh recalled. Despite the hardships, he poured every resource into his son's aspirations, even when the odds seemed insurmountable. Mangesh's cricketing journey began in a modest courtyard with his mother, where he honed his skills before his uncle recognized his talent at tennis-ball tournaments. Encouraged to pursue cricket seriously, he traveled to Delhi to train under coach Phool Chand Sharma, a pivotal figure in his development. "If I am playing cricket today, it is because of Phool Chand sir," Mangesh said. His father had given him Rs 24,000 with great difficulty, a sum that vanished within the first month of his training. Phool Chand, who noticed Mangesh's potential despite his financial struggles, invited him to stay at the hostel, marking the start of his professional journey. "I don't care if someone has money or not.#royal_challengers_bengaluru #mangesh_yadav #ramavadh_yadav #phool_chand_sharma #rajat_patidar
