IPL 2026: 3 players RCB underutilised this season

1. Venkatesh Iyer

RCB acquired Venkatesh Iyer for INR 7 crore at the mini-auction, but the all-rounder had to wait for his opportunities during the early stages of the season. Once he broke into the playing XI, however, he made an immediate impact with his aggressive batting.

Iyer emerged as a dependable middle-order batter and was even promoted to open alongside Virat Kohli during the playoffs. In just seven matches, he scored 209 runs at an impressive average of 52.25 and a remarkable strike rate of 186.60. His ability to accelerate the scoring rate and play fearless cricket made him a valuable asset. Had RCB introduced him earlier and given him a longer run in the side, Iyer could have enjoyed an even more productive campaign.