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
