IPL 2026: Phil Salt returns home mid-season for scans, RCB face anxious wait

NEW DELHI: Royal Challengers Bengaluru person been dealt a mid-season interest aft England opener Phil Salt returned location for scans connected a digit injury, casting uncertainty implicit his contiguous availability successful the IPL 2026 campaign.Salt, who had been successful awesome signifier astatine the apical of the order, has already missed RCB’s past 3 matches. The 29-year-old is understood to person injured his near manus portion attempting a diving halt astatine heavy backward quadrate limb during RCB’s decision to Delhi Capitals astatine the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium connected April 18.According to a study by ESPNcricinfo, Salt “damaged a digit connected his near hand” during that effort and subsequently returned to the United Kingdom astatine the petition of England’s management.

He has since undergone scans, with some the subordinate and franchise hopeful of a swift betterment and a instrumentality aboriginal this month.Strong commencement halted by untimely injuryThe setback comes astatine a frustrating clip for Salt, who had rediscovered his bushed successful the IPL aft a thin planetary phase. In six innings this season, helium has scored 202 runs astatine a blistering onslaught complaint of 168.33, providing explosive starts alongside Virat Kohli.His lack has opened the doorway for chap England batter Jacob Bethell, who has stepped successful arsenic opener but is yet to marque a important impact, managing 39 runs successful 3 outings truthful far.

With Salt sidelined, Bethell is expected to proceed getting opportunities astatine the apical of the order.RCB stay hopeful amid playoff pushDespite the wounded blow, RCB person enjoyed a beardown play and presently beryllium 2nd connected the points table, conscionable down Punjab Kings. The franchise is optimistic that Salt’s wounded is not semipermanent and are keen to person him backmost arsenic they propulsion towards the playoffs.Under IPL regulations, RCB could see signing a replacement if the wounded is deemed season-ending, but for now, the absorption remains connected Salt’s recovery.With a important signifier of the tourney approaching and a clash against Lucknow Super Giants next, RCB volition anticipation their explosive opener returns soon to bolster an already formidable batting lineup.