Will Phil Salt play in RCB vs GT Qualifier 1? Rajat Patidar says English wicket-keeper is 'under observation'

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Will Phil Salt play in RCB vs GT Qualifier 1? Rajat Patidar says English wicket-keeper is 'under observation' 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 did not sign an injury replacement for Salt.
• Jacob Bethell stepped in as opener in Salt's absence.
• Salt's participation in Qualifier 1 still uncertain.

Will Phil Salt play in RCB vs GT Qualifier 1?​

After helping RCB win their maiden IPL title last year, Phil Salt picked up from where he left off last season, as he was looking impressive in the ongoing IPL 2026 season.

However, his campaign was cut short in April after suffering an injury. The Englishman's last appearance was against Delhi Capitals on April 18. With only six matches under his belt, Salt had to return to England for further treatment, and he only recently returned to India.

As per latest reports, Salt is working on his recovery and could take the field for RCB against GT in Qualifier 1 on Tuesday in Dharamshala, although captain Rajat Patidar did not provide any concrete update on the player's condition.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, a day before the playoff game, Patidar told reporters, "Phil Salt is fit, he is doing. He is under observation with the doctor also. He is doing some drills also. We have not decided our playing 11 yet. We will look at the wicket and then we will decide."

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Why did Phil Salt miss matches for RCB in IPL 2026?​

Phil Salt did not feature 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.

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Jacob Bethell has returned to the UK with an injury​

While RCB did not sign a replacement for Phil Salt in their squad as they wanted to wait for the Englishman to return to action, they did replace him in the starting with compatriot Jacob Bethell, who took over the responsibility to open the innings alongside Virat Kohli.

Bethell did a decent job at the top of the order and complemented Kohli perfectly as RCB topped the league stage and reached Qualifier 1.

However, there is bad news for the reigning champions ahead of the playoff matches as Bethell has now picked up an injury on his left ring finger and will miss the playoff games. The southpaw has also returned to England for further treatment.

Thus, RCB fans will be looking forward to seeing Phil Salt back in action to maintain the balance in the RCB starting XI ahead of the key Qualifier game.

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