IPL 2026: Virat Kohli is scoring faster than ever — so why are RCB struggling?

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) need to fix several issues quickly as they try to keep their IPL 2026 title defence on track after a worrying dip in form midway through the season.

Their upcoming clash against Mumbai Indians in Raipur has become important for the Red and Gold side after back-to-back defeats against Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants. RCB are currently fourth on the points table with six wins and four losses, and their remaining four matches could decide how their season unfolds.

One major concern has been the drop in performance from the middle order. RCB had started the season strongly with a settled top three of Phil Salt, Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal. They also had plenty of batting options in captain Rajat Patidar, Jitesh Sharma, Venkatesh Iyer, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd and Tim David.

In the first five matches, RCB batters from No. 4 to No. 8 averaged 39.30 and scored at a strike rate of 190.77, both the best among all teams. They scored two fifties while hitting 23 fours and 33 sixes. But in the next five matches, the numbers dropped sharply. The average fell to 21, the worst among all teams in that period, while the strike rate dropped to 148.58. Only one fifty came during that phase, with 23 fours and 23 sixes scored.

Salt’s injury has also hurt the team. He played six matches and scored 202 runs at an average of 33.66 and strike rate of 168.33, including two fifties, before a finger injury forced him to return to the UK. RCB have not shared many details about the injury.

In Salt’s absence, Jacob Bethell got an opportunity at the top of the order. Bethell had created buzz after scoring a century in the T20 World Cup semifinal against India at the Wankhede, but he has struggled in the IPL so far, scoring only 43 runs in four innings, with a highest score of 20.

Romario Shepherd’s season has also not gone according to plan. Though known for his hitting ability, he has scored only 79 runs in six innings at an average of 26.33 and strike rate of 143.63, with a best score of 23 not out. In the previous game against LSG, he struggled during a chase of 20 runs in the final over against the spin of Digvesh Rathi.

His bowling numbers have been poor as well. Shepherd has taken only five wickets in nine matches at an average of 44.00, with an economy rate of 12.94 and strike rate of 20.40. Among pacers with at least five wickets this season, he has the second-worst economy rate behind Shardul Thakur’s 13.57.

Jitesh Sharma has also endured a difficult campaign. After a strong season last year, the wicketkeeper-batter has managed just 64 runs in eight innings at an average of 8.00 and strike rate of 108.47, with a best score of 23. His struggles have often forced Tim David and Romario Shepherd to bat earlier than expected.