Phil Salt Returns to UK for Injury Scans, Impacting RCB's IPL Campaign

Phil Salt's Injury Forces Him to Leave IPL

New Delhi [India] - Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) opener Phil Salt has returned to the UK to undergo scans for a finger injury that has sidelined him for the last three matches of the ongoing IPL 2026 season, as reported by a sports news outlet on Monday.

This situation extends Jacob Bethell's opportunity at the top of the batting lineup, as he steps in for Salt during the tournament.

While the specifics of the injury have not been officially revealed by the team, sources suggest that Salt injured his left hand while attempting a diving catch near the deep backward square leg boundary during a match against Delhi Capitals on April 18.

Before his injury, Salt had a promising start to the season, amassing 202 runs in six innings with an impressive strike rate of 168.33, helping RCB secure aggressive openings.

Both Salt and RCB are hopeful that he will recover in time to return to India later this month, as the team aims to defend their IPL title, which they won for the first time last season.

The timing of this injury is particularly unfortunate for Salt, who had previously commended the supportive environment fostered by director of cricket Mo Bobat, head coach Andy Flower, and batting mentor Dinesh Karthik. He had regained his form in the IPL following a less impactful T20 World Cup with England.

Currently, RCB, under the leadership of Rajat Patidar, is enjoying a six-day break after their recent loss to the Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad. Several players have taken a brief trip to the Maldives ahead of their upcoming match against the Lucknow Super Giants on Thursday.