Phil Salt set to return as RCB get major boost before IPL 2026 playoffs

Royal Challengers Bengaluru 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 a report from ESPNCricinfo. Salt has been out for a month with a finger injury and went back to the UK to spend time with his family.

Salt suffered the injury to his left hand as he was trying to save a boundary during the loss against the Delhi Capitals at home on April 18. Since then, RCB has gone on to qualify for the playoffs for the third consecutive time and are expected to play Qualifier 1 in Dharamsala, unless there is a late swing in the net run-rate.

It remains to be seen if Salt will be available to play the final league game against SRH in Hyderabad on Friday, but it is unlikely that RCB will risk him ahead of the playoffs.

HOW HAVE RCB BEEN ABLE TO REPLACE SALT?

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

Iyer had come 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 clash against Kolkata Knight Riders. However, stand-in skipper Jitesh Sharma said after the victory that Patidar was recovering well and is expected to return for Friday’s fixture in Hyderabad, potentially leaving the team management with a tough selection call.

Salt has scored 202 runs in six matches that he played this season, with an average of 33.67.