3 Royal Challengers Bengaluru players who might be benched in IPL 2026

2) Nuwan Thusara

With Josh Hazlewood missing the opening leg of the season due to fitness issues, Nuwan Thushara might have found himself in the playing XI, but with the addition of New Zealand speedster Jacob Duffy, the hope remains just a glimmer. A bowler with an unorthodox action, Thushara has proven himself to be an accurate wicket-taker across the global franchise circuit, but his returns in the IPL have not been impressive.

Often being compared to fast-bowling legend and compatriot Lasith Malinga, Thushara has been part of RCB’s title-winning squad, but the team are more likely to turn to Duffy’s hit-the-deck style of bowling, similar to what Hazlewood offered, ahead of Thushara.