From Virat Kohli to Tim David: RCB’s top five batters in IPL 2026

With IPL 2026 coming to an end, Royal Challengers Bengaluru rode high on an impressive string of performances with the bat to reach the peak for the second consecutive time. A string of batters came up clutch at various junctures in RCB’s second title-winning run. Following the tournament’s conclusion, here are the side's five top batters.

·      Virat Kohli – 675 runs

Kohli and RCB completed 19 years in the tournament and the former was once again substantially impressive. VK smashed 675 runs in the season at a sensational strike rate of 165.54. He smashed five fifties and hammered home a century. He saved his best performance for the last as his unbeaten 75 propelled RCB across the finish line.

·      Rajat Patidar – 501 runs

The RCB captain had his best season in his IPL career. A journey that started in 2021 saw Patidar mature into the unstoppable force he is today. RaPa’s overall tally of 501 runs marked the first time the RCB captain crossed the 500-run mark in the tournament's history. Patidar was the hero in RCB’s play-off win against Gujarat Titans as he clobbered an unbeaten 93.

·      Devdutt Padikkal – 464 runs

Padikkal came mighty close to having his best IPL season, but his hopes were dashed in the finale when he fell for just a solitary run. Padikkal's arrival at number three helped RCB kill chases with consummate ease. DDP proliferated as a commanding number three batter, not just as a chaser. He had no intention of sitting at the crease, irrespective of the situation and loved attacking the bowlers at all times. Padikkal tallied 464 runs at a strike rate of 168.73 while smashing three fifties along the way.

·      Tim David – 305 runs

When RCB needed someone to steady the ship alongside Virat Kohli in the summit clash, David came to bat. Just after the fall of Rajat Patidar and Krunal Pandya in the same over, RCB had complications brewing. David’s presence calmed the frayed nerves of the Royal Challengers and he played an instrumental role in shaping a crucial 42-run stand alongside Virat Kohli that killed the chase completely. David also had a great season. Coming out to bat usually at number six or seven, Timmy D amassed 305 runs at a strike rate of 188.27 and an average of 33.88. David’s unbeaten 70 against Mumbai Indians was burning testimony to his power-hitting brilliance.

·      Krunal Pandya – 226 runs

Krunal had a slow start to the tournament with the bat. But when situations called, KP stepped up in the biggest possible way. In the return-leg fixture against Mumbai Indians, RCB found themselves in a spot of bother. Wobbling at 39/3, RCB desperately searched for someone who could arrest the side's sudden decline in the game. Pandya arrived, read the situation and played the knock of a true warrior. Despite cramping out in the worst possible manner, Pandya’s 73 saw RCB come within touching distance of the finish line. Despite Pandya's fall, RCB did get past the finish line in the game, courtesy of a late strike from Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Pandya’s overall tally read 226 runs scored at an average of 37.66 which proved extremely handy for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.