Phil Salt replacement in RCB 2026: Can Royal Challengers Bengaluru sign an injury replacement and who are the options?

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Phil Salt replacement in RCB 2026: Can Royal Challengers Bengaluru sign an injury replacement and who are the options? originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:​

• Royal Challengers Bengaluru opening batter Phil Salt has missed multiple IPL 2026 matches since the April 18 match against Delhi Capitals due to a finger injury.
• RCB could sign an injury replacement only if Salt is ruled out of the season.
• Jacob Bethell has stepped in as opener alongside Virat Kohli in Salt's absence.
• RCB are expected to wait for Salt’s recovery before making a final call.

Can RCB sign a replacement for Phil Salt in IPL 2026?​

Royal Challengers Bengaluru can sign a replacement for Phil Salt only if the England wicketkeeper-batter is ruled out of the remainder of the IPL 2026 season.

As per IPL rules, franchises may bring in a replacement player until their 12th match of the IPL 2026 season, provided medical verification and match referee approval are obtained.

However, once a player is temporarily unavailable, teams usually wait before finalising a replacement, especially if there is a chance of return later in the tournament.

At this stage, Salt has not been officially ruled out, meaning RCB are unlikely to rush into signing a replacement.

MORE:Is Phil Salt ruled out of IPL 2026? Injury update, return date as RCB star flies back to England

Why has Phil Salt missed matches for RCB in IPL 2026?​

Phil Salt has not featured for RCB in IPL 2026 since the April 18 match against Delhi Capitals (DC) due to a finger injury, per ESPNcricinfo, with the England star returning to the UK for scans.

The report added that Salt had "damaged a finger on his left hand while diving to save a boundary at deep backward square leg in the sixth over of the second innings during their defeat at home to the Delhi Capitals on April 18."

Salt featured in six matches for RCB this season, scoring 202 runs at an average of 33.66 and a strike-rate of 168.33 with a high score of 78 against the Mumbai Indians.

Who replaced Phil Salt in RCB playing XI?​

Jacob Bethell replaced Phil Salt in the RCB playing XI to open the batting alongside Virat Kohli. However, he has failed to make an impact in the three matches so far, scoring just 39 runs.

IPL 2026 HUB:Latest IPL News | IPL Points Table | Team Stats | IPL 2026 Squads

The Cricket News Opinion: Top 3 replacement options if Phil Salt is ruled out of IPL 2026​

With Phil Salt sidelined due to injury, RCB may need to explore replacement options if the England opener fails to return this season. Here are three players who could fit the role.

Jake Fraser-McGurk​

RCB may not necessarily need a wicketkeeper-batter, with Jitesh Sharma already in the squad. However, Fraser-McGurk could bring explosive intent, having scored 330 runs at a strike rate of over 230 in IPL 2024. While his form dipped in 2025, Fraser-McGurk could be a dangerous player.

Jonny Bairstow​

The England and IPL veteran remains one of the most experienced T20 openers available as replacements. He will be a like-for-like replacement for Salt.

He featured in IPL 2025 as a replacement for Will Jacks at the Mumbai Indians. While Bairstow played just two games, both in the playoffs, scoring 47 off 22 against the Gujarat Titans and 38 off 24 against the Punjab Kings.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz​

Gurbaz is another aggressive wicketkeeper-opener who recently impressed at the 2026 T20 World Cup. He previously featured for the Kolkata Knight Riders and attacks in the powerplay, just like Salt, and his fearless batting could complement Kohli at the top of the order.

All that said, RCB won't be in a rush with Bethell filling the role, and the franchise is expected to back him throughout the tournament as they wait for Salt's return.

Should RCB look for Phil Salt's replacements with Jacob Bethell available? To keep up to date with all the latest cricket news and share your opinion on the biggest topics visit ourFacebook, Instagram and X (Twitter) pages.

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