Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have suffered a huge blow as opener Phil Salt has returned home to the United Kingdom to undergo medical scans for a finger injury. The aggressive English batter has missed the last three matches for the defending champions in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season.
The injury occurred when Salt attempted a diving stop near the deep backward square leg boundary during the second innings against Delhi Capitals on April 18. Before the injury to his left hand, he scored 202 runs in his six innings at an average of 33.67 and a strike rate of 168.33, including two half-centuries.
Key Points
- Phil Salt returned to UK for finger injury scans
- Missed last three matches for RCB
- ECB advised immediate medical checks
- Return to IPL 2026 remains uncertain
ECB asks Phil Salt To Return Home For Scans
According to ESPNcricinfo, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) asked Phil Salt to return home immediately for medical checks. However, Salt and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru remain optimistic that the injury will heal quickly, allowing him to return to India later this month.
This absence gives his England teammate Jacob Bethell an extended chance to open alongside Virat Kohli. Bethell is included in the lineup as Salt’s replacement, while fellow Englishman Jordan Cox remains available as a backup batting option.
Bethell is yet to make a strong impact in the tournament. He has scored just 39 runs in his first three innings. Royal Challengers Bengaluru hope this extended run at the top will help him find form.
Phil Salt Injury Comes at Worst Time for RCB
The timing of this setback is frustrating for Phil Salt after he rediscovered his batting form. He had earlier praised the positive team environment created by Mo Bobat, Andy Flower, and Dinesh Karthik, saying it helped him recover after a subdued T20 World Cup.
Under IPL rules, Royal Challengers Bengaluru can sign a replacement if the injury is serious enough to rule a player out of the season. Teams can bring in injury replacements even after the tournament begins, but only up to a certain stage of the league phase.
However, RCB are expected to take a cautious approach, as the management has made it clear that player fitness remains the top priority. They do not want to rush Salt back before full recovery, and are likely to delay any replacement decision unless medical reports confirm a long-term absence.
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FAQ
- Why did Phil Salt leave IPL 2026?
He returned to the UK for medical scans after suffering a finger injury. - Will Phil Salt return to IPL 2026?
RCB remain hopeful, but no confirmed timeline yet. - Who replaced Phil Salt in RCB lineup?
Jacob Bethell has been given an opportunity at the top.
Also read: Varun Chakaravarthy gives massive injury update after KKR’s win vs SRH
