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Phil Salt - (Source: AFP)
On Wednesday, May 13, RCB will end their Raipur leg of IPL 2026 by hosting KKR for match 57. The two teams will square off for the first time in the tournament. It is a key match for both teams as they want to ensure a top-four finish.
RCB are in a relatively better position than KKR as the Rajat Patidar-led side are 1st on the table with 14 points in 11 matches. Despite that, the defending champions are far from playing their best cricket as they are missing Phil Salt, who has been out for a long time now.
Phil Salt’s Injury Taking Longer Than Expected
Phil Salt has done exceptionally well for RCB in the last two years. However, in IPL 2026, he missed the last five matches because of injury. For the unversed, the English star cricketer suffered a finger injury and also went to the UK for scans.
Since then, RCB have been opening the innings with Jacob Bethell, who hasn’t been able to utilise his opportunities. Also, there was no update on Phil Salt up until now. There were reports that the player has been declared fit and is on his way to India.
However, there is no official update and the waiting game continues for the defending champions, who are desperately awaiting the return of their star batter.
Phil Salt unlikely for KKR match
In the latest events, a report from Shashank Kishore of ESPN Cricinfo stated that Phil Salt is not present in the training session. Hence, the right-handed batter is unlikely to play against KKR.
Also Read: KKR Provides Massive Update On Varun Chakaravarthy's Injury Ahead Of IPL Match Vs RCB
“From RCB's training: No Salt. Romario didn't bat, just did some fitness & fielding. Venky Iyer had a long net. As did most of the other top order batters, including Kohli, Padikkal, Patidar, Jitesh & David. Krunal chose to rest,” Shashank Kishore tweeted.
Hence, it is expected that Jacob Bethell will continue to open the innings with Virat Kohli.
Venkatesh Iyer Likely To Replace Romario Shepherd
Shashank Kishore also hinted that RCB might go ahead with Venkatesh Iyer to replace Romario Shepherd. The Caribbean superstar is having a tough time in IPL 2026 as he has amassed just 83 runs in 7 innings. With the ball, Shepherd has just 6 wickets.
Venkatesh Iyer, on the other hand, has had to wait for his chances in this tournament. So far, Venkatesh Iyer has played 2 matches and scored 41 runs with the bat. If he comes against KKR, which also happens to be his former IPL team, then it opens up an overseas space in RCB's playing XI.
Venkatesh Iyer's inclusion allows RCB to bring in Jacob Duffy, who started the tournament on a high, but lost his place after Josh Hazlewood returned for the defending champions.
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