Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has praised Royal Challengers Bangalore for their picks at the IPL 2026 auction held in Abu Dhabi. He felt the franchise made smart choices despite operating with a limited budget.
Smart Buys Despite Limited Funds
RCB had already spent most of their purse on key players before the auction. Even then, they managed to strengthen their squad with sensible signings. Ashwin felt the team addressed important gaps effectively.
Venkatesh Iyer Finally Joins RCB
RCB finally secured Venkatesh Iyer for Rs 7 crore after missing out on him earlier. Ashwin noted that this time, RCB succeeded despite other teams having more money. He described it as a strong move.
Focus On Young Uncapped Talent
The franchise also picked young uncapped players like Vihaan Malhotra, Mangesh Yadav, and Kanishk Chauhan. These selections were seen as long-term investments for the team.
Ashwin Praises RCB Scouting
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin praised RCB’s scouting network. He said identifying talent early helps reduce competition at auctions. He highlighted Kanishk Chauhan as a player with strong potential.
Strong Words For Young Picks
“I want to praise and applaud RCB. They picked Vihaan Malhotra and Kanishk Chauhan for just Rs 30 lakh,” Ashwin said. He added that Kanishk Chauhan could go on to do special things.
Impressive U-19 Performances
Vihaan Malhotra is currently performing well for India’s U-19 team. He recently scored 69 runs off 55 balls against UAE in the U-19 Asia Cup. His form has caught attention.
Kanishk Chauhan Shines Against Pakistan
Kanishk Chauhan, also part of the U-19 setup, was named Player of the Match against Pakistan. With these signings, RCB now has a group of promising young players heading into IPL 2026.
