Phil Salt will be back as RCB get a big boost ahead of the IPL 2026 playoffs

Royal Challengers Bengaluru have received a major boost ahead of the IPL 2026 playoffs as Phil Salt is all set to return to the tournament this week, according to an ESPNCricinfo report. Salt was out for a month with a finger injury and returned to the UK to spend time with his family.

Salt suffered an injury to his left hand when he struggled to save a boundary during a loss against Delhi Capitals at home on 18 April. Since then, RCB have qualified for the play-offs for the third time in a row and are expected to play Qualifier 1 in Dharamsala, barring a late swing in net run-rate.

It remains to be seen whether Salt will be available for Friday’s final league game against SRH in Hyderabad, but RCB are unlikely to risk him ahead of the playoffs.

HOW ARE RCB’S ABLE TO REPLACE SALT?

In Salt’s absence, his England teammate Jacob Bethell filled the opening slot alongside Virat Kohli over the past month, but it has been difficult for the youngster to make any mark. Bethell managed just 96 runs in seven innings, with 27 being his highest score to date. His place in the playing XI could face further scrutiny even if Salt remains unavailable for Friday’s game, especially after Venkatesh Iyer impressed with an unbeaten 73 during Sunday’s win against Punjab Kings in Dharamsala.

Iyer was brought into the side in place of Rajat Patidar, who missed the trip to Dharamsala after being hit on the helmet by a sharp bouncer from Kartik Tyagi during last week’s encounter against Kolkata Knight Riders. However, stand-in captain Jitesh Sharma said after the win that Patidar is recovering well and is expected to return for Friday’s game in Hyderabad, potentially leaving the team management with a tough selection to make.

Salt has scored 202 runs in the six matches he has played this season at an average of 33.67.

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Published on:

20 May 2026 16:51 IST