Phil Salt is set to rejoin Royal Challengers Bengaluru ahead of the IPL 2026 playoffs after recovering from a finger injury.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Phil Salt (Photo: IANS/Dhananjay Yadav)
Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru have received a major boost ahead of the IPL 2026 playoffs, with explosive opener Phil Salt set to rejoin the squad later this week after recovering from a finger injury.
Salt, who has been sidelined for nearly a month, had injured his left hand while attempting a boundary save during RCB’s defeat to Delhi Capitals at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on April 18. The England wicketkeeper-batter subsequently returned home to recover and spend time with his family.
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According to an ESPNCricinfo report, Salt is now expected to travel back to India and rejoin the RCB camp ahead of the final stretch of the tournament.
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However, it remains uncertain whether the 29-year-old will feature in RCB’s final league-stage clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Friday, with the franchise unlikely to risk him so close to the playoffs.
Despite Salt’s absence, RCB have already sealed qualification for the playoffs and remain firmly in contention for a top-two finish and a place in Qualifier 1.
Before suffering the injury, Salt had been one of RCB’s standout performers this season, smashing 202 runs in six innings at a blistering strike rate of 168.33 and providing aggressive starts alongside Virat Kohli at the top of the order.
In his absence, fellow England batter Jacob Bethell partnered Kohli at the top but struggled for consistency, managing 96 runs in seven innings with a highest score of 27.
RCB, meanwhile, also found another positive in their recent win over Punjab Kings, where batting all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer stepped up with an unbeaten 73 under pressure.
The innings came in the absence of regular skipper Rajat Patidar, who missed the match after suffering a helmet blow from a sharp bouncer by Kartik Tyagi during RCB’s clash against Kolkata Knight Riders in Raipur.
With Salt now nearing a return, RCB appear to be regaining key players at the perfect time as the tournament heads into the knockout phase.
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