Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will be reportedly without the services of Phil Salt for their crucial IPL 2026 encounter against Gujarat Titans (GT) in Ahmedabad on April 30. This absence comes at a difficult time for the player, who had recently found his form; after a sluggish start to the 2026 IPL season with 54 runs in his first three matches, he had significantly improved his output by scoring 148 runs in his next three appearances.
Phil Salt to miss GT vs RCB clash?
The uncertainty surrounding Salt began ahead of RCB’s match against the Gujarat Titans on April 24, when he sustained an injury during a practice session. The franchise has opted not to disclose the specific nature of the injury, leaving his return date ambiguous. In his absence, fellow England teammate Jacob Bethell has stepped in to fill the opening position.
While there was anticipation that Salt would return to the lineup for the match against the Delhi Capitals on April 27, he ultimately remained sidelined. Reports from TV9 Kannada indicate that he will not be fit in time for the upcoming away game at the Narendra Modi Stadium, marking another match missed while the team continues to manage his undisclosed physical setback.
The severity of Salt’s injury remains a point of uncertainty, leaving fans to speculate whether it is a minor niggle requiring extended rest or a big setback that could rule him out for the remainder of the IPL 2026 season. If it is the former, RCB might be able to welcome him back following the game against the Gujarat Titans, especially given the six-day break before their next encounter against the Lucknow Super Giants on May 7. However, if the injury is more serious than currently suggested, the franchise will be forced to look for a replacement for the rest of the campaign.
Jacob Bethell yet to find footing in Salt's absence
Jacob Bethell, who stepped into the role during Salt’s absence for two matches last season, has yet to truly find his footing in the current lineup. Despite carrying immense momentum from the 2026 T20 World Cup—where he concluded the tournament with a spectacular century against India in the semifinals, he has struggled to replicate that form for RCB. In his recent outings, he managed scores of 14 off 10 balls against GT and 20 off 11 against DC, failing to provide the explosive starts the team has become accustomed to.