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According to ESPNcricinfo, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) opener Phil Salt has flown back to the UK for scans on a finger injury that has prevented him from playing in the last three games for the reigning Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 champions.
Jacob Bethell, who is replacing the right-handed batter in the current tournament, is expected to extend his tenure at the top of the batting order as a result of Phil Salt`s injury.
The report claims that the defending champions have not formally revealed the type of injury. However, during the second innings of their home loss to Delhi Capitals on April 18, Salt reportedly injured a finger on his left hand while trying a diving save close to the deep backward square leg boundary.
Before the injury, Salt had scored 202 runs in six innings at a remarkable strike rate of 168.33, giving RCB aggressive starts at the top of the order.
The report further added that both Salt and RCB remain optimistic that the injury will heal in time for him to return to India later this month, as the franchise continues its push to defend the IPL title they won for the first time last season.
For Salt, who has previously lauded the team atmosphere under director of cricket Mo Bobat, head coach Andy Flower, and batting tutor Dinesh Karthik, the timing of the injury is especially unfortunate. After a lacklustre T20 World Cup campaign with England, he had found his form again in the IPL.
RCB are currently in the IPL play-off spots
Defending champions RCB have started their season well, having won 6 of their first 9 matches. RCB are sitting comfortably in the second spot, behind Punjab Kings. The Rajat Patidar-led team are aiming to be only the third team in IPL history to successfully defend their title, after MI and CSK.
After losing to the Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad, the reigning champions are currently on a six-day holiday. A few players will go briefly to the Maldives before their next match on Thursday against the Lucknow Super Giants.
(With ANI Input)
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