Simon Doull Advocates for Venkatesh Iyer as Opener for IPL Qualifier Against Gujarat Titans

In a crucial decision for the IPL 2026 Qualifier One, former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull advocates for Venkatesh Iyer to open alongside Virat Kohli, emphasizing the challenges Phil Salt may face returning from injury. With RCB's opening combination under scrutiny, Doull highlights Iyer's recent performances and stresses the importance of current form in knockout matches. As the match approaches, the debate intensifies over who will take the field for RCB against the Gujarat Titans.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 25, 2026, 15:53 IST

Doull's Choice for the Opener

Simon Doull, a former cricketer from New Zealand, expressed his preference for Venkatesh Iyer to open the batting alongside Virat Kohli in the upcoming IPL Qualifier One against the Gujarat Titans. He emphasized that it would be challenging for England's Phil Salt to make an immediate impact following his injury absence.

Qualifier One Details

The match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Gujarat Titans (GT) will decide the first finalist for IPL 2026. RCB is currently facing a dilemma regarding their opening pair, debating whether to reinstate Phil Salt after his injury or to continue with Venkatesh, who recently performed well against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Jacob Bethell, who struggled to score during Salt's absence, has been ruled out of the tournament due to injury and has returned to England.

Doull's Insights on Player Form

During a segment on Star Sports 'Cricket Live', Doull stated, "I would prefer Venkatesh Iyer as the opener alongside Virat Kohli. Phil Salt has been sidelined for three and a half weeks, and returning from a finger injury is quite difficult. Although he is a talented player who has performed well for RCB and England in T20 formats, regaining match fitness and timing takes time. The playoffs are not the right moment for such a test."

Doull highlighted Venkatesh's impressive 19-ball 44 against SRH and a powerful half-century against Punjab Kings (PBKS), noting the strong synergy he shares with Kohli. He acknowledged that while Salt has a better partnership record with Kohli, current form is crucial, especially in knockout matches. "The risk of introducing a player who hasn't played competitively for weeks is significant. Venkatesh has earned his spot at the top, even though Salt is a valuable player to have on the bench," he concluded.

Performance Statistics

Venkatesh Iyer has played five IPL matches, scoring 158 runs across four innings with an impressive average of 79.00 and a strike rate of 177.52, including a half-century and a top score of 73*. He has shown versatility, excelling in various roles, whether as an Impact Player during batting collapses or maintaining momentum in the middle order.

In contrast, Phil Salt has participated in six innings at the top, accumulating 202 runs with an average of 33.66 and a strike rate exceeding 168, featuring two fifties and a highest score of 78.