RCB's Mo Bobat Expresses Confidence in Phil Salt Ahead of IPL 2026

Support for Phil Salt

Mo Bobat, the director of cricket for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), has shown his support for the struggling England batsman Phil Salt as the team prepares for the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Bobat is eager to see Salt open the batting alongside Virat Kohli for the defending champions.

Phil Salt's Performance Overview

During RCB's inaugural title-winning season, Salt had an impressive performance, amassing 403 runs across 13 innings with an average of 33.58. However, his recent form has been disappointing, as he managed only 130 runs in eight matches during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, averaging just 16.25.

No Concerns About Salt's Form

When questioned about any worries regarding Salt's current form as IPL 2026 approaches, Bobat reassured fans that RCB boasts a robust and experienced roster of international players. He highlighted that Salt is still ranked among the top T20 batters globally, currently sitting at fourth in the ICC Men's T20I rankings.

"I don't have any concerns. Our squad is of high quality, and as we demonstrated last year, our strongest lineup is filled with players who have international experience. Phil Salt remains one of the top T20 batters in the world," Bobat stated during RCB's pre-season press conference.

Excitement for Upcoming Matches

"I am excited to see him and Virat take the field together. They are like gladiators, and it’s always thrilling to watch them put pressure on the opposition. We have immense confidence in our team and in Phil Salt, and I believe he will perform well," Bobat added.

Bobat also mentioned that Salt enjoys his time with RCB and values his partnership with Kohli. He noted that Salt collaborates effectively with team members like Andy and DK, and he is optimistic about Salt's performance at the start of the season.

Upcoming Match Details

The defending champions, RCB, will begin their title defense against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.