Gujarat Titans (GT) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will face each other in a crucial Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday (April 20). All eyes were on RCB’s explosive opener Phil Salt, but fresh injury concerns have now put his participation in serious doubt.
Phil Salt injury update
According to TV9 Kannada reports, the England wicketkeeper-batsman was not seen in the nets during the recent practice sessions. He also did not travel with the main team from Delhi to Ahmedabad, so his availability for Wednesday’s match is highly unlikely. The franchise’s medical team is taking a cautious approach and Salt has already missed the previous two matches after sustaining the injury in training ahead of the Gujarat Titans match on April 24.
Phil Salt’s significant contribution to RCB’s campaign
Despite the setback, Phil Salt’s impact on RCB’s season was considerable. The 29-year-old amassed 202 runs in six matches with an excellent strike rate of 168.33 and a top score of 78. His aggressive starts in the overs were central to RCB’s strategy. So far he has smashed 16 fours and 11 sixes and scored two half-centuries.
For the team placed second in the points table, the absence of a key overseas batsman presents a manageable but notable challenge. The RCB management has made it clear that the welfare of the player comes first and there will be no rush to force Salt to return before he is fully fit.
Jacob Bethell provides a seamless exchange at the top
In the absence of Phil Salt, Jacob Bethell stepped into the starting role with impressive maturity. Young left-hander, acquired by RCB for ₹2.6 million, spent time on the bench earlier in the season and sparked public debate from former players including Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen. Bethell remained patient and rose to the occasion when the opportunity presented itself.
He scored 14 off 10 balls against Gujarat Titans on 24 April and followed it up with 20 off 11 balls against Delhi on 27 April, maintaining a knock of 161. His left-handed presence alongside Virat Kohli forms a balanced opening combination that disrupts the opposition’s bowling plans. Bethell, who smashed a superb 105 off 48 balls in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup earlier this year, has carried his excellent form into the IPL and is expected to open again in Ahmedabad.
Expected RCB lineup
Royal Challengers Bengaluru are expected to name an unchanged XI from their recent win over Delhi.
RCB Probable XII: Virat Kohli, Jacob Bethell, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Salam Dar, Suyash Sharma
The clash promises to be high-quality T20 cricket, with both teams bringing strong momentum to the match. RCB’s ability to adapt without one of their key performers will be tested again, but early signs suggest that the franchise is well set to maintain its winning trajectory.
